Inside Soviet Military Intelligence by Viktor Suvorov

by Viktor Suvorov

Brand new condition hardcover book in its also brand new condition decorative dustjacket. This is a first condition, first printing, the true collectible edition. Enjoy being the first to read this book!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Military Fiction, Espionage, Russia, Soviet Union, Military History

Unknown Binding

First published July 9, 1984

About the author

Former Soviet-Union army officer fled in 1978 to England. Where he worked as a teacher and a adviser for news agencies.

Author of a number of bestsellers about the history of the World War II, the Soviet Army special operations troops and military intelligence, and the Red Army.

He is one of the historians who believes that Hitler started the war against Russia to prevent Stalin attacking Germany first.

See also Виктор Суворов and Wiktor Suworow

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was really cool! The overarching military, KGB, and GRU that comprised what was the Soviet Military Intelligence entity. You ever notice in older movies when they mention something like "This is Colonel Boris Shevchenko, Soviet intelligence"? That's because military order & discipline, ranks, support & logistics, and command structure ran the intelligence sector. They weren't military perse but mirrored the military on a strategic level.

The author explains recruiting agents, deep cover operatives, illegals, cultural/linguistic immersion to pass as someone else, radio/enciphering transmissions, "sleeper agents". These things are only the tip of the iceberg.

I really enjoyed reading this and learning about how significant these operations existed during the Cold War. I enjoyed the author's writing style, the readability, and his message in the end (I won't ruin it for you). Top notch in my opinion! Thanks!

[G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a somewhat poorly written book that contains an interesting description of the early history, organization, purpose, and methods of the GRU, the Soviet military intelligence organization, up until the mid-1980s. It reads as though the author sat down and wrote several somewhat random chapters on different aspects of the GRU that came to his mind. Written by an ex-GRU officer, the details he presents strike me as being generally reliable, though the historical accounts are somewhat hard going if you do not possess an understanding of the turmoil of the early Soviet Union before World War II. One thing that does come across is how very paranoid the Soviet intelligence services were, and how very inefficiently they repeatedly purged themselves of potential traitors or political opponents. From that point of view, this likely provides an example of how not to run an intelligence organization for those who want to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, despotism, or political instability.

Written in the mid-1980s, this book has some of the feel of the Cold War in the pages, and is of interest to those who would like to learn about the great lengths the Soviet union went to, in some cases, for the preservation of their military readiness vis-a-vis the West, and in particular, the United States. There are some statements the author makes that may be doubtful, such as about the superiority of Soviet made weapons systems as a result of the plans of multiple foreign weapons systems being stolen and aggregated so as to choose the best characteristics of them all. While this may be true in some cases, such as the Kalashnikov rifle (AK-47), this claim does not generally ring true. However, Suvorov does make it clear what the specific aims of the GRU were, and how generally successful they were in their operations, which was apparently rather considerable.

This book is a worthwhile read for those with a particular interest in the intelligence capabilities of Soviet military intelligence of the 1980s, but it is not exactly an exciting or fun read, and some of the information may not be particularly accurate, as it is not a scholarly work, and is not clearly supported by a rich body of documentary evidence.

[Kevin Riehle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed description of the Soviet GRU, which continues to operate around the world.

[Paul Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to write a novel featuring a former Soviet spy as an important character, this is the book for you.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good view from the inside.

[Konstantin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hea ülevaade gru, fsb, svr jm vene julgeolekuorg-de toimimisest. Suvorovlikult läks vahepeal jutt liiga logisema, aga igavamad kohad võib üle skippida ning rännakut jätkata.

Done.

[Tobias · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful and informative "beginners guide" to Soviet Military Intelligence. Clear and well written it is now highly dated, but nonetheless a useful read for those interested in the subject.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting rivalry, upon the bloodiest assassin's the GRU of Russian military intelligence during and after Lenin. The superior organ, the GRU, are an essential part of the army. The endless conflict between the Army, the Party, and the KGB.

[Arctic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for the those who want to know more, it is not a light read. It's an academic read.