From Red Terror to Terrorist State: Russia's Secret Service and Its Fight for World Domination: from Felix Dzerzhinsky to Vladimir Putin

by Yuri Felshtinsky, Vladimir Popov

'Detail worthy of a John le Carre novel.' Telegraph The history of modern Russia traditionally has Communism at its Lenin defines its rise, Gorbachev its fall, and Putin its aftermath. In this radical new history, Yuri Felshtinsky and Vladimir Popov, however, introduce a new historical the Cheka―the Bolsheviks' nebulous revolutionary intelligence service. Wrapped around the Party in a fight to the death from 1918 under its first head Felix Dzerzhinsky, only Stalin was able to resist its stranglehold at the cost of enormous bloodshed. Luring Russia into submission over less than a century, its murder-plots and unrivalled scheming culminated in the capture of the Kremlin in 2000. Drawing on Popov's secret documents of over two decades as a senior officer in one of the KGB's key covert sections, and on Felshtinsky's encyclopedic knowledge of Russian state archives open in the 1990s, little-known sources, and access to leading oligarchs, a new Russian history emerges. The story they tell is often unexpected while introducing a new cast of characters still of great influence―potentially surpassing Lenin's role―on our world today. From Red Terror to Terrorist State is the first complete history of the Cheka. Written from the inside, it fundamentally transforms our understanding of Russia and rethinks the way today's Kremlin views itself and the rest of the world. Animated by lifelong study, this authoritative narrative by two exceptional Russian-intelligence experts presents ground-breaking new insights based on an unrivalled wealth of new factual details.

605 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

"From Red Terror to Terrorist State" is an extraordinary exploration of Russia's history, deftly challenging the traditional narrative that centers solely on the rise of the Communist Party. Through a meticulous examination of newly unearthed historical sources from within the Russian secret services, the authors shed light on the often overlooked but pivotal role of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the enigmatic leader of the Communist Secret Service, the Cheka.

This groundbreaking book presents a comprehensive reevaluation of Russia's trajectory, illuminating the shadowy maneuvers of the Cheka's leaders in their relentless pursuit of wresting control from the Communist party. With a writing style that is both engaging and informative, the authors navigate the complexities of Russian history, connecting the dots between past and present to provide readers with a nuanced understanding of the country's contemporary state.

The depth of research and the writers' evident mastery of the subject matter are evident throughout the narrative, making "From Red Terror to Terrorist State" an invaluable resource for those seeking to delve deeper into Russia's complex political evolution. The authors' intimate and expansive knowledge of the subject is palpable, resulting in a compelling and enlightening read that challenges preconceived notions and invites readers to reconsider the lens through which they view modern Russia.

The seamless translation of this intricate narrative is a testament to the authors' expertise, ensuring that the essence of their original work is preserved for an international audience. With its thought-provoking insights and a rich historical backdrop, "From Red Terror to Terrorist State" stands as a testament to the power of meticulous research and compelling storytelling, providing readers with a profound and thought-provoking exploration of one of the world's most complex and enigmatic nations.