The Spy Who Saved the World - How a Soviet Colonel Changed the Course of the Cold War [UNCORRECTED PROOF - THE NEW COLLECTIBLE]

by Jerrold L. and Deriabin Peter S. Schecter

Examines how Oleg Penkovsky provided U.S. intelligence with data on Soviet nuclear capabilities

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Russia, Espionage

Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

GRU Colonel Oleg Penkovsky spied against the USSR on behalf of MI6 and CIA for almost three years during the early sixties. According to the authors, he provided the information about Soviet rocketry which contributed to the peaceful resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Captured, he was tried, convicted and executed in Russia soon thereafter.

This book is primarily based on declassified interrogations of Penkovsky, quoted at great length. The portrait which emerges is not an attractive one. It appears that Penkovsky was motivated by prideful resentment against a system which hadn't promoted him enough and the desire for material rewards. He's constantly asking for money and, while in the West on spurious trade/technical missions, spending it on call girls (he was married) and nights on the town. Far from seeking peace, he also repeatedly suggests various kinds of first strikes against the Soviet Union, suggestions which, fortunately, are rejected by his handlers.

A final chapter discusses the formulation of 'The Penkovsky Papers', a prior book concocted by CIA. It also reviews the debates about his fate, some having argued that he was a double agent and not executed at all. Some of his fictionalized appearances in literature are noted as well.

[Ferris Mx · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enthralling and amazing story about how one well-connected citizen with access to secrets but whose career aspirations were foiled handed over political and scientific data that allowed Kennedy to defy Khruschev's dangerous advances in Berlin and Cuba. This book had many pages of transcripts of debriefings with intelligence handlers, that thoroughly discuss the details of the material Penkovsky turned over and also the tradecraft of their interaction. It is particularly interesting how difficult it was for Penkovsky to initiate contact with the West due to the likelihood that any contact was a provocation. It's a "true" story that has inspired many fictional and movie characterizations of espionage. Although my original intent was to read this and clear shelf space, I started to think that I was going to retain this book as an important, primary source.

I'm not going to retain it. All factual books pertaining to intelligence are compromised by a continual, compulsive desire to disinform within the intelligence community. When much of this material was released in the early 1960s (The Penkovsky Papers), it was for propaganda purposes. This book is another layer of the same onion. Why was such deep access to the records of the Penkovsky case given, even in the 1990s? Who benefits and why? What was withheld and what was mischaracterized? To even begin to understand these questions would require years of study and only lead to frustration.

[Doug Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A compelling story, but dryly written. The overall tone read like an academic report, and would have benefitted from a creative non-fiction approach. Nevertheless, the detail and authenticity were superb. The backdrop of east-west conflict is still relevant today.

[Rich G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true account of how a Russian colonel, passed over for promotion in Communist Russia because his father was a "White Russian", became an important asset to the US and UK during the early 1960's and passed on crucial information in the months and weeks leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The principal US agent, Joseph Bulik, was an acquaintance of mine in the 1980's and early 1990's and signed my copy of the book, so I have a less than impartial view of this book. However, anyone with an interest in the very real crisis during October 1962 when the world probably came as close as ever to nuclear war, or interest in general espionage will increase their understanding of international intrigue and some of the nuts and bolts of how real agents operate. This particular case had a sad outcome, in part due to difficulties encountered while two different agencies, CIA and MI6, tried to "run" a foreign agent.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story if a little thick at times

[Kristina Bulik-hocum · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad is in this book so...