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Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West
Foreign Policy Best Book of 2023
Foreign Affairs Best Book of 2023
The “riveting” (The Economist), secret story of the hundred-year intelligence war between Russia and the West with lessons for our new superpower conflict with China.
Spies is the history of the secret war that Russia and the West have been waging for a century. Espionage, sabotage, and subversion were the Kremlin’s means to equalize the imbalance of resources between the East and West before, during, and after the Cold War. There was nothing “unprecedented” about Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. It was simply business as usual, new means used for old ends.
The Cold War started long before 1945. But the West fought back after World War II, mounting its own shadow war, using disinformation, vast intelligence networks, and new technologies against the Soviet Union. Spies is a “deeply researched and artfully crafted” (Fiona Hill, deputy assistant to the US President) story of the best and worst of bravery and honor, treachery and betrayal. The narrative shifts across continents and decades, from the freezing streets of St. Petersburg in 1917 to the bloody beaches of Normandy; from coups in faraway lands to present-day Moscow where troll farms, synthetic bots, and weaponized cyber-attacks being launched woefully unprepared West. It is about the rise and fall of Eastern Russia’s past and present and the global ascendance of China.
Mining hitherto secret archives in multiple languages, Calder Walton shows that the Cold War started earlier than commonly assumed, that it continued even after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, and that Britain and America’s clandestine struggle with the Soviet government provided key lessons for countering China today. This “authoritative, sweeping” (Fredrik Logevall, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Embers of War) history, combined with practical takeaways for our current great power struggles, make Spies a unique and essential addition to the history of the Cold War and the unrolling conflict between the United States and China that will dominate the 21st century.
Foreign Affairs Best Book of 2023
The “riveting” (The Economist), secret story of the hundred-year intelligence war between Russia and the West with lessons for our new superpower conflict with China.
Spies is the history of the secret war that Russia and the West have been waging for a century. Espionage, sabotage, and subversion were the Kremlin’s means to equalize the imbalance of resources between the East and West before, during, and after the Cold War. There was nothing “unprecedented” about Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. It was simply business as usual, new means used for old ends.
The Cold War started long before 1945. But the West fought back after World War II, mounting its own shadow war, using disinformation, vast intelligence networks, and new technologies against the Soviet Union. Spies is a “deeply researched and artfully crafted” (Fiona Hill, deputy assistant to the US President) story of the best and worst of bravery and honor, treachery and betrayal. The narrative shifts across continents and decades, from the freezing streets of St. Petersburg in 1917 to the bloody beaches of Normandy; from coups in faraway lands to present-day Moscow where troll farms, synthetic bots, and weaponized cyber-attacks being launched woefully unprepared West. It is about the rise and fall of Eastern Russia’s past and present and the global ascendance of China.
Mining hitherto secret archives in multiple languages, Calder Walton shows that the Cold War started earlier than commonly assumed, that it continued even after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, and that Britain and America’s clandestine struggle with the Soviet government provided key lessons for countering China today. This “authoritative, sweeping” (Fredrik Logevall, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Embers of War) history, combined with practical takeaways for our current great power struggles, make Spies a unique and essential addition to the history of the Cold War and the unrolling conflict between the United States and China that will dominate the 21st century.
21 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 1, 2023
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About the author
Calder Walton
3 books35 followersJames Calder Walton is a British-American historian who is widely considered one of the world's leading experts on the history of espionage, intelligence, and national security. He is currently assistant director of the Intelligence Project at Harvard University's Belfer Center.
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August 4, 2023
“Four themes run like dark threads throughout our story below. The first three are the action parts of intelligence agencies: espionage (stealing secrets), subversion, and sabotage. The latter two of these constitute covert action…Added to these kinetic activities of intelligence services in East and West is a fourth theme, and part of the secret world, the role of analysis: understanding an opponent’s aims and capabilities. All four of these ventures are as old as history, but they were taken to new levels by superpowers during the Cold War. Today the action elements are also carried out in the cyber domain, which provides a new medium for what is much older tradecraft. As we shall see, these three components – espionage, subversion, and sabotage – continue to be in play even when relations ostensibly improved between East and West…”
- Calder Walton, Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West
In his massively ambitious Spies, Calder Walton attempts to cover roughly one-hundred years of intelligence history, mostly pitting the United States against the Soviet Union, and later the Russian Federation. Starting with the Russian Revolution and ending with the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, it pulls back the curtain on many familiar events of the Cold War, and shows you the backstage view of how they unfolded with the help of unseen hands.
While it can be easy to overstate the impact of spies, broken codes, and pilfered secrets, there is no doubting the inherent drama of it all.
This is a tale brimming with divided loyalties, supreme betrayals, and extreme risks, where the smallest mistake can cost the highest price. Spies takes you into a world where high ideals clash with the basest greed, and heroism and treason share different sides of the same coin. It is a paranoid place, where truth might be an illusion, an illusion truth, and where the agent you rely on might be a double agent, and the double agent you trust might be a triple agent.
By the last page, it is hard to evaluate what you’ve read, because you’ve just gone on a lengthy journey where everyone you meet is a professional liar and dissembler. The only thing that can be said for certain is that it’s riveting from start to finish.
***
The scope of coverage – as noted up top – is vast.
Walton begins in 1917, pinpointing the start of the East-West rivalry to the West’s antagonistic response to Bolshevik rule. Things did not improve going forward, even when the West allied itself with the Soviet Union during the Second World War. Indeed, while the West – especially the United States – poured aid into the Soviet Union through the front door, the Soviets busily carted off secrets through the back. The most infamous example, of course, was the Soviet penetration of the Manhattan Project, which built the first atomic bombs.
After the war, with Eastern Europe turned into a virtual Russian colony, the United States belatedly realized they were in a high-stakes competition with the Soviet Union, and the Cold War proper began.
Walton takes us through events both big and small, doing a very good job balancing the strategic context with tactical operations undertaken by the various intelligence services. A lot of this material is familiar, including discussions of the Cambridge Five, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, and Oleg Gordievsky. Nevertheless, there were quite a few incidents I’d never heard of before.
To Walton’s credit, he does not confine himself to Europe and Asia – the usual Cold War focal points – but expands his reach to touch upon Africa and South America as well. Given the ground he’s trying to cover, he obviously can’t get super in-depth, but he certainly recognizes the global size of the stage.
Though the fall of the Soviet Union is typically viewed as the end of the Cold War, Walton keeps going, summarizing the West’s failure vis-à-vis the Russian Federation. In short, while the United States did a victory lap, the Russians regrouped for round two, dropping the failed economic policies of the Communist Party, but otherwise continuing to spy, subvert, and disrupt as they had been for the previous half-century. Walton even finds space to say a few words about China, though China’s rise – and its massive espionage efforts – lay outside this book’s ambit.
***
To harness all this material, Walton divides Spies into six parts, and proceeds both chronologically and thematically.
For example, the Cuban Missile Crisis is discussed in Part Three, when Walton is focusing on the direct clash between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Bay of Pigs invasion, which actually took place before the Crisis, is not analyzed until Part Four, which covers the former colonies and client states that played such a huge role in the Cold War.
Though he sometimes skips back and forth along the timeline, Walton works carefully to keep you oriented.
***
It’s hard to evaluate the research that goes into a book like this. Even accepted “facts” regarding intelligence history are often derived from circumstantial evidence. The inherent difficulty is made worse by the ongoing propaganda efforts of national intelligence organizations.
All I can say with any certainty is that Walton put in work. There are sixty-four pages of endnotes, many of them annotated, along with references to numerous archives. Walton discusses what he found during his research – including newly declassified material – and is good about alerting you to controversies and opposing viewpoints. He also conducted numerous interviews, both off and on the record.
***
In terms of style, Walton isn’t a naturally gifted storyteller. Spies does not read as smoothly – for instance – as Ben McIntyre’s popular nonfiction espionage books. While his writing does not necessarily add anything – lacking literary panache or acute characterizations – it does not detract either. This material is inherently fascinating, and even a workmanlike prose-approach is sufficient, especially given the book’s other qualities.
***
Throughout Spies, I appreciated Walton’s efforts at objectivity, even though he is obviously writing from the Western perspective. The Cold War did not take place in a vacuum, but in a complexly-connected milieu that cannot be understood unless everyone’s motives, understandings, and actions are delineated, which he takes pains to do. He does not hesitate to criticize the United States and/or the Soviet Union as the situation requires, but also provides the background before doing so.
***
If the Cold War had been decided solely on the basis of intelligence coups, the Soviet Union would’ve won in a landslide. At times, Western intelligence agencies resembled a clown show, developing hugely expensive and intricate plots that were revealed by Soviet moles long before they even started.
Still, as Walton points out, there’s a reason for this.
The West is an open society with a free press and no shortage of would-be-entrepreneurs – such as Robert Hansen and Aldrich Ames – willing to sell a blueprint or a codename for a briefcase of cash.
Beyond that, the rule of law makes it really hard to prosecute treason, as convicting a spy may mean offering classified information in court. None of the Cambridge Five were prosecuted in Great Britain. In the United States, Bill Weisband – who sold out the Venona Project – got to finish his life selling insurance. Meanwhile, some of the West’s best assets – Vladimir Vetrov, Pyotr Popv, and Oleg Penkovsky – ended up with the signature bullet to the base of the neck in the basement of the Lubyanka Prison.
There are many things the West could do to protect itself, and Walton gives some suggestions. The most important is to recognize that a threat exists, before the next spy balloon floats overhead. At the same time, the risk in rising to meet this challenge with extreme measures is that you become what you’re trying to defeat, and destroy what you’re trying to save.
- Calder Walton, Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West
In his massively ambitious Spies, Calder Walton attempts to cover roughly one-hundred years of intelligence history, mostly pitting the United States against the Soviet Union, and later the Russian Federation. Starting with the Russian Revolution and ending with the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, it pulls back the curtain on many familiar events of the Cold War, and shows you the backstage view of how they unfolded with the help of unseen hands.
While it can be easy to overstate the impact of spies, broken codes, and pilfered secrets, there is no doubting the inherent drama of it all.
This is a tale brimming with divided loyalties, supreme betrayals, and extreme risks, where the smallest mistake can cost the highest price. Spies takes you into a world where high ideals clash with the basest greed, and heroism and treason share different sides of the same coin. It is a paranoid place, where truth might be an illusion, an illusion truth, and where the agent you rely on might be a double agent, and the double agent you trust might be a triple agent.
By the last page, it is hard to evaluate what you’ve read, because you’ve just gone on a lengthy journey where everyone you meet is a professional liar and dissembler. The only thing that can be said for certain is that it’s riveting from start to finish.
***
The scope of coverage – as noted up top – is vast.
Walton begins in 1917, pinpointing the start of the East-West rivalry to the West’s antagonistic response to Bolshevik rule. Things did not improve going forward, even when the West allied itself with the Soviet Union during the Second World War. Indeed, while the West – especially the United States – poured aid into the Soviet Union through the front door, the Soviets busily carted off secrets through the back. The most infamous example, of course, was the Soviet penetration of the Manhattan Project, which built the first atomic bombs.
After the war, with Eastern Europe turned into a virtual Russian colony, the United States belatedly realized they were in a high-stakes competition with the Soviet Union, and the Cold War proper began.
Walton takes us through events both big and small, doing a very good job balancing the strategic context with tactical operations undertaken by the various intelligence services. A lot of this material is familiar, including discussions of the Cambridge Five, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, and Oleg Gordievsky. Nevertheless, there were quite a few incidents I’d never heard of before.
To Walton’s credit, he does not confine himself to Europe and Asia – the usual Cold War focal points – but expands his reach to touch upon Africa and South America as well. Given the ground he’s trying to cover, he obviously can’t get super in-depth, but he certainly recognizes the global size of the stage.
Though the fall of the Soviet Union is typically viewed as the end of the Cold War, Walton keeps going, summarizing the West’s failure vis-à-vis the Russian Federation. In short, while the United States did a victory lap, the Russians regrouped for round two, dropping the failed economic policies of the Communist Party, but otherwise continuing to spy, subvert, and disrupt as they had been for the previous half-century. Walton even finds space to say a few words about China, though China’s rise – and its massive espionage efforts – lay outside this book’s ambit.
***
To harness all this material, Walton divides Spies into six parts, and proceeds both chronologically and thematically.
For example, the Cuban Missile Crisis is discussed in Part Three, when Walton is focusing on the direct clash between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Bay of Pigs invasion, which actually took place before the Crisis, is not analyzed until Part Four, which covers the former colonies and client states that played such a huge role in the Cold War.
Though he sometimes skips back and forth along the timeline, Walton works carefully to keep you oriented.
***
It’s hard to evaluate the research that goes into a book like this. Even accepted “facts” regarding intelligence history are often derived from circumstantial evidence. The inherent difficulty is made worse by the ongoing propaganda efforts of national intelligence organizations.
All I can say with any certainty is that Walton put in work. There are sixty-four pages of endnotes, many of them annotated, along with references to numerous archives. Walton discusses what he found during his research – including newly declassified material – and is good about alerting you to controversies and opposing viewpoints. He also conducted numerous interviews, both off and on the record.
***
In terms of style, Walton isn’t a naturally gifted storyteller. Spies does not read as smoothly – for instance – as Ben McIntyre’s popular nonfiction espionage books. While his writing does not necessarily add anything – lacking literary panache or acute characterizations – it does not detract either. This material is inherently fascinating, and even a workmanlike prose-approach is sufficient, especially given the book’s other qualities.
***
Throughout Spies, I appreciated Walton’s efforts at objectivity, even though he is obviously writing from the Western perspective. The Cold War did not take place in a vacuum, but in a complexly-connected milieu that cannot be understood unless everyone’s motives, understandings, and actions are delineated, which he takes pains to do. He does not hesitate to criticize the United States and/or the Soviet Union as the situation requires, but also provides the background before doing so.
***
If the Cold War had been decided solely on the basis of intelligence coups, the Soviet Union would’ve won in a landslide. At times, Western intelligence agencies resembled a clown show, developing hugely expensive and intricate plots that were revealed by Soviet moles long before they even started.
Still, as Walton points out, there’s a reason for this.
The West is an open society with a free press and no shortage of would-be-entrepreneurs – such as Robert Hansen and Aldrich Ames – willing to sell a blueprint or a codename for a briefcase of cash.
Beyond that, the rule of law makes it really hard to prosecute treason, as convicting a spy may mean offering classified information in court. None of the Cambridge Five were prosecuted in Great Britain. In the United States, Bill Weisband – who sold out the Venona Project – got to finish his life selling insurance. Meanwhile, some of the West’s best assets – Vladimir Vetrov, Pyotr Popv, and Oleg Penkovsky – ended up with the signature bullet to the base of the neck in the basement of the Lubyanka Prison.
There are many things the West could do to protect itself, and Walton gives some suggestions. The most important is to recognize that a threat exists, before the next spy balloon floats overhead. At the same time, the risk in rising to meet this challenge with extreme measures is that you become what you’re trying to defeat, and destroy what you’re trying to save.
July 6, 2023
This book is not an Ian Fleming, Graham Greene or John LeClair work of fiction, this book tells the real story with all the warts.
Walton’s credentials are impeccable. With a doctorate in History, He has written extensively on espionage and his research is quoted by others. What he says in this work just amplifies what has been written about spying in the past, but he adds nuance, some things that have not appeared in other books on spying because he is referencing the latest declassifications.
His initial point is that the cold war did not begin in 1945, it began in 1918 when the Bolsheviks came to power in Russia. He states that the West never understood this and therefore were oblivious to Russia’s practices of espionage and the fact that Russia was stealing the West’s most highly prized secrets.
This reader remembers a quote from Nikita Khrushchev on meeting John Kennedy,” we should combine our spy operations because we both know what the other is doing so why not save money by just combining operations”. This is a paraphrase, yet it is accurate in its spirit. Khrushchev was making a joke yet in most jokes there is an element of truth.
The truth in this case is and was that Russia infiltrated British and American government at the highest levels and knew everything about our policy, diplomacy and espionage. They had people at Los Alamos when the first nuclear bomb was being developed.
Western society cannot keep a secret. We have Government leaks, Politicians who brag as they seek to opportunity to stay on the government payroll and just incompetence at the highest levels that made most secrets available in the press and in some cases, Russia knew about secret information before the President of the United States.
Another thing that hurts the American vigilance in the spy game is the constant infighting. Army intelligence will not be shared with Navy intelligence and the CIA will not share with the FBI, etc. Stupidity yes, but they all want the glory and to keep their appropriations high even when it hurts the Country. Russia was and is a closed society and therefore so very little information is leaked and getting caught leaking information means a death sentence.
Walton tells us that Russia spied on its allies during the Second World War. America more so than the British was very naive about Russian spying and Joseph Stalin. Roosevelt and later Truman felt that he could be charmed and manipulated, he couldn’t, he was a ruthless killer a psychopath. The interaction of the big three and the settlements they reached were influenced by Uncle Joe and have led to the Cold War that still exists today.
I found the story of the tunnel from West Berlin into East Berlin both funny and tragic and it is an excellent example of Western ineptitude. The CIA and MI6 conspired to build a tunnel into East Berlin from West Berlin. They planned to cut into the communication lines between Russian satellite states and Moscow. While all this work was being performed, a Russian mole named Robert Gates was placed at the head of the enterprise by MI6, so Russia knew about every shovel full of dirt removed from the tunnel. The tunnel was a waste of time and became a tourist attraction in East Berlin and another victory for Russia. The resulting finger pointing made the Western allies hesitant to share information in the future.
Walton goes on to describe the biggest Western espionage failure, it is referred to as the Cambridge Five espionage ring. Five intellectuals with impeccable credentials from the best schools in England were successfully recruited as Russian spies. They succeeded in gaining access to jobs in the highest levels of British and American government. Over a period of years, they shared the deepest Western secrets with Russia, and were responsible for the killing of hundreds of Western agents.
When we look at our World War 11 Presidents, both Roosevelt and Truman were very naive about Stalin. In Trumans case after being thrust into the role of President, as a result of Roosevelt’s death, he did learn quickly on the job. Walton seems most kind to Eisenhower in this book. Walton tells us that the General and President saw the threat more clearly than most, and he did the most to bring American intelligence agencies up to a higher standard than previously existed. He became aggressive in spying with human assets, spy planes and the development of the National Security agency, NSA.
The U-2 spy plane disaster is well documented by Walton. Again, Eisenhower proves to be a leader who will take a risk in the hopes of gaining a tactical advantage for the US. The president knew that at some point one of these high-flying planes would be discovered and shot down, yet he felt that the intelligence gained by the photography over Russia was worth the risk. Walton shares the latest declassified information from US and Russian documents that tell the story and the efforts that the Russian went to in order to exploit the shooting down of a U-2 plane and the capture of the pilot. The latest declassified information shows the strength and wisdom of President Eisenhower. The use of planes and pilots was discontinued when satellite image technology became available. Pictures from space made all other options obsolete.
Per Walton, the Kennedy family and particularly John, our President were obsessed with overthrowing and killing Castro. As a result of this obsession the president was convinced by his national advisors to support an armed invasion of the island of Cuba by exiled Cubans, it is referred to as the Bay of Pigs invasion. The previous President, Eisenhower saw the folly of this exercise and rejected the scheme but not Kennedy. He authorized it and watched as his invading army was met on the beach and annihilated. The Russians made a great deal of this stupidity, it was proof that the US was an imperialist power wanting to take over Cuba.
Kennedy was killed in Dallas, Texas. The suspects were Fidel Castro, the mob or his own government. The blame was put on Lee Harvey Oswald but most American believe he was a fall guy. When Walton discussed the Bay of Pigs, my heart raced believing that he would shine some light on the assassination. But no! not a mention to my great sorrow. The government has kept these records sealed since 1963 and this only intensifies the mystery of whodunnit.
The Cuban Missile crisis has a chapter of its own and as the cliche goes “it is the worth the price of admission”. It was another disaster for our intelligence community; they totally missed the planting of missiles 90 miles off the coast of Florida. Walton shares the latest intelligence from all sides. He points out that the Russian Ambassador lied several times denying the existence of the missiles. He describes Dean Rush showing the photographs at the UN after the Russian representative had stood up and lied about their existence. He speaks about Khrushchev being simi literate and unable and unwilling to read or hear intelligence reports and this was dangerous. This history is very scary because as the Navy dropped depth charges on a Russian sub in Cuban waters, it was the vote of one Russian officer not to fire a nuclear missile that saved our World from being destroyed, this narrative was that dramatic.
The story about Robert Kennedy meeting with a Russian agent in the hopes of getting messages to Moscow was a recently unclassified document. Robert took a very dangerous path without the knowledge of the President and despite the CIA telling him that he was dealing with a Russian spy. These were very threatening times and Walton gave us a compelling story with the latest declassified information on the crisis.
As I read further into this nonfiction expose, I feel a disgust towards mankind because we are savage animals quick to kill! Specifically, I am angered by the stupidity of highly intelligent men like the Cambridge Five, all graduates from the finest schools in England, and the same disgust for the Kennedy brothers and their whiz kid advisors from America’s best schools. A little common sense would have proved beneficial to all these people.
My reading of this material proves that the western governments were not much better than their Russian counterparts, our CIA got rid of elected officials in third World Countries and inserted leaders who were friendly to us, yet once granted dictatorial powers, they killed and robbed their own people. Our intelligence agencies plotted to murder and killed to foster our own aims, so what makes us better than our Russian counterparts?
What is incomprehensible is the betrayals by Aldrich Ames in the CIA and FBI agent Robert Hanssen. They did great damage to the Country and their betrayals resulted in the deaths of hundreds of intelligence agents, many people they knew! All these treacheries were for money, it is hard to believe.
Walton’s summation of the Gorbachev years was well done. Most of the material presented can be found elsewhere yet it flowed nicely in this book. His point about Ronald Reagan intensifying the pressure on Russia was enlightening. Then Reagan had the wisdom to ratchet down his rhetoric when it became dangerous and could have escalated into a nuclear war; raised his score for me in his ranking of best Presidents. This reader lived through those times and the way Walton presents the facts is easy to understand and the few surprises spur the reader on to look for more new disclosures.
This book has moved chronologically thought the twentieth and twenty-first centuries to date; and most of the material is known. The book becomes quite scary, when the era of Putin, Trump and China are introduced, and speculations are made about the future of this Country. One of Walton’s sources states that America and the West have only a 50% chance of surviving the coming years.
The 2016 election in the United States was controlled by a Russian agenda. Disinformation was spread on Western media by Russian Hackers and Trump was the beneficiary of this Russian support. This information about Russian involvement has been speculated about since that election. The speculation ends with the information Walton shares in this book.
During Trump’s 4-year term, he attempted to leave NATO, and he withdrew from other Western organizations that threatened Russia. He attempted to extort from Ukraine information and hold up assistance in their fight against Russia. He was charged with treason twice in the House of Representatives and only saved because of a dysfunctional Senate. After his failed attempt at reelection, he attempted a coup d'état to overthrow the elected government. Since leaving in disgrace, he has retained top secret records for reasons that are worrisome. If this man can regain the White House, our Country maybe lost and there goes our 50% chance of survival.
Yes, China is a threat and Walton makes his case that after Trump, China is the biggest threat to America. China and the US are joined at the hip for economic reasons. China owns billions of US debt, and they are our biggest trade partner. Yes, I agree with Walton that they are desperate for the technological secrets of this Country, and this is the war zone between China and the US. We must devise plans to thwart any loss of technology to China. I have seen this technological war going on for years. But Trump is a different story if he regains power this Country will cease to exist as a democracy.
This book was an outstanding opportunity to gain facts about espionage that has existed since 1918. It told the story of a genre I loved, but as a result of this book I no longer love. The West and Russia murder, interfere in the policies of other Countries, and both cheat and lie in order to maintain an edge in a fight that is no longer Ideology, but just plan greed and the urge for power. Well done, Calder Walton! Now I must find another genre to love. No more the suave James Bond and his woman or the wisdom of George Smiley, because the true spy game is too scary.
Walton’s credentials are impeccable. With a doctorate in History, He has written extensively on espionage and his research is quoted by others. What he says in this work just amplifies what has been written about spying in the past, but he adds nuance, some things that have not appeared in other books on spying because he is referencing the latest declassifications.
His initial point is that the cold war did not begin in 1945, it began in 1918 when the Bolsheviks came to power in Russia. He states that the West never understood this and therefore were oblivious to Russia’s practices of espionage and the fact that Russia was stealing the West’s most highly prized secrets.
This reader remembers a quote from Nikita Khrushchev on meeting John Kennedy,” we should combine our spy operations because we both know what the other is doing so why not save money by just combining operations”. This is a paraphrase, yet it is accurate in its spirit. Khrushchev was making a joke yet in most jokes there is an element of truth.
The truth in this case is and was that Russia infiltrated British and American government at the highest levels and knew everything about our policy, diplomacy and espionage. They had people at Los Alamos when the first nuclear bomb was being developed.
Western society cannot keep a secret. We have Government leaks, Politicians who brag as they seek to opportunity to stay on the government payroll and just incompetence at the highest levels that made most secrets available in the press and in some cases, Russia knew about secret information before the President of the United States.
Another thing that hurts the American vigilance in the spy game is the constant infighting. Army intelligence will not be shared with Navy intelligence and the CIA will not share with the FBI, etc. Stupidity yes, but they all want the glory and to keep their appropriations high even when it hurts the Country. Russia was and is a closed society and therefore so very little information is leaked and getting caught leaking information means a death sentence.
Walton tells us that Russia spied on its allies during the Second World War. America more so than the British was very naive about Russian spying and Joseph Stalin. Roosevelt and later Truman felt that he could be charmed and manipulated, he couldn’t, he was a ruthless killer a psychopath. The interaction of the big three and the settlements they reached were influenced by Uncle Joe and have led to the Cold War that still exists today.
I found the story of the tunnel from West Berlin into East Berlin both funny and tragic and it is an excellent example of Western ineptitude. The CIA and MI6 conspired to build a tunnel into East Berlin from West Berlin. They planned to cut into the communication lines between Russian satellite states and Moscow. While all this work was being performed, a Russian mole named Robert Gates was placed at the head of the enterprise by MI6, so Russia knew about every shovel full of dirt removed from the tunnel. The tunnel was a waste of time and became a tourist attraction in East Berlin and another victory for Russia. The resulting finger pointing made the Western allies hesitant to share information in the future.
Walton goes on to describe the biggest Western espionage failure, it is referred to as the Cambridge Five espionage ring. Five intellectuals with impeccable credentials from the best schools in England were successfully recruited as Russian spies. They succeeded in gaining access to jobs in the highest levels of British and American government. Over a period of years, they shared the deepest Western secrets with Russia, and were responsible for the killing of hundreds of Western agents.
When we look at our World War 11 Presidents, both Roosevelt and Truman were very naive about Stalin. In Trumans case after being thrust into the role of President, as a result of Roosevelt’s death, he did learn quickly on the job. Walton seems most kind to Eisenhower in this book. Walton tells us that the General and President saw the threat more clearly than most, and he did the most to bring American intelligence agencies up to a higher standard than previously existed. He became aggressive in spying with human assets, spy planes and the development of the National Security agency, NSA.
The U-2 spy plane disaster is well documented by Walton. Again, Eisenhower proves to be a leader who will take a risk in the hopes of gaining a tactical advantage for the US. The president knew that at some point one of these high-flying planes would be discovered and shot down, yet he felt that the intelligence gained by the photography over Russia was worth the risk. Walton shares the latest declassified information from US and Russian documents that tell the story and the efforts that the Russian went to in order to exploit the shooting down of a U-2 plane and the capture of the pilot. The latest declassified information shows the strength and wisdom of President Eisenhower. The use of planes and pilots was discontinued when satellite image technology became available. Pictures from space made all other options obsolete.
Per Walton, the Kennedy family and particularly John, our President were obsessed with overthrowing and killing Castro. As a result of this obsession the president was convinced by his national advisors to support an armed invasion of the island of Cuba by exiled Cubans, it is referred to as the Bay of Pigs invasion. The previous President, Eisenhower saw the folly of this exercise and rejected the scheme but not Kennedy. He authorized it and watched as his invading army was met on the beach and annihilated. The Russians made a great deal of this stupidity, it was proof that the US was an imperialist power wanting to take over Cuba.
Kennedy was killed in Dallas, Texas. The suspects were Fidel Castro, the mob or his own government. The blame was put on Lee Harvey Oswald but most American believe he was a fall guy. When Walton discussed the Bay of Pigs, my heart raced believing that he would shine some light on the assassination. But no! not a mention to my great sorrow. The government has kept these records sealed since 1963 and this only intensifies the mystery of whodunnit.
The Cuban Missile crisis has a chapter of its own and as the cliche goes “it is the worth the price of admission”. It was another disaster for our intelligence community; they totally missed the planting of missiles 90 miles off the coast of Florida. Walton shares the latest intelligence from all sides. He points out that the Russian Ambassador lied several times denying the existence of the missiles. He describes Dean Rush showing the photographs at the UN after the Russian representative had stood up and lied about their existence. He speaks about Khrushchev being simi literate and unable and unwilling to read or hear intelligence reports and this was dangerous. This history is very scary because as the Navy dropped depth charges on a Russian sub in Cuban waters, it was the vote of one Russian officer not to fire a nuclear missile that saved our World from being destroyed, this narrative was that dramatic.
The story about Robert Kennedy meeting with a Russian agent in the hopes of getting messages to Moscow was a recently unclassified document. Robert took a very dangerous path without the knowledge of the President and despite the CIA telling him that he was dealing with a Russian spy. These were very threatening times and Walton gave us a compelling story with the latest declassified information on the crisis.
As I read further into this nonfiction expose, I feel a disgust towards mankind because we are savage animals quick to kill! Specifically, I am angered by the stupidity of highly intelligent men like the Cambridge Five, all graduates from the finest schools in England, and the same disgust for the Kennedy brothers and their whiz kid advisors from America’s best schools. A little common sense would have proved beneficial to all these people.
My reading of this material proves that the western governments were not much better than their Russian counterparts, our CIA got rid of elected officials in third World Countries and inserted leaders who were friendly to us, yet once granted dictatorial powers, they killed and robbed their own people. Our intelligence agencies plotted to murder and killed to foster our own aims, so what makes us better than our Russian counterparts?
What is incomprehensible is the betrayals by Aldrich Ames in the CIA and FBI agent Robert Hanssen. They did great damage to the Country and their betrayals resulted in the deaths of hundreds of intelligence agents, many people they knew! All these treacheries were for money, it is hard to believe.
Walton’s summation of the Gorbachev years was well done. Most of the material presented can be found elsewhere yet it flowed nicely in this book. His point about Ronald Reagan intensifying the pressure on Russia was enlightening. Then Reagan had the wisdom to ratchet down his rhetoric when it became dangerous and could have escalated into a nuclear war; raised his score for me in his ranking of best Presidents. This reader lived through those times and the way Walton presents the facts is easy to understand and the few surprises spur the reader on to look for more new disclosures.
This book has moved chronologically thought the twentieth and twenty-first centuries to date; and most of the material is known. The book becomes quite scary, when the era of Putin, Trump and China are introduced, and speculations are made about the future of this Country. One of Walton’s sources states that America and the West have only a 50% chance of surviving the coming years.
The 2016 election in the United States was controlled by a Russian agenda. Disinformation was spread on Western media by Russian Hackers and Trump was the beneficiary of this Russian support. This information about Russian involvement has been speculated about since that election. The speculation ends with the information Walton shares in this book.
During Trump’s 4-year term, he attempted to leave NATO, and he withdrew from other Western organizations that threatened Russia. He attempted to extort from Ukraine information and hold up assistance in their fight against Russia. He was charged with treason twice in the House of Representatives and only saved because of a dysfunctional Senate. After his failed attempt at reelection, he attempted a coup d'état to overthrow the elected government. Since leaving in disgrace, he has retained top secret records for reasons that are worrisome. If this man can regain the White House, our Country maybe lost and there goes our 50% chance of survival.
Yes, China is a threat and Walton makes his case that after Trump, China is the biggest threat to America. China and the US are joined at the hip for economic reasons. China owns billions of US debt, and they are our biggest trade partner. Yes, I agree with Walton that they are desperate for the technological secrets of this Country, and this is the war zone between China and the US. We must devise plans to thwart any loss of technology to China. I have seen this technological war going on for years. But Trump is a different story if he regains power this Country will cease to exist as a democracy.
This book was an outstanding opportunity to gain facts about espionage that has existed since 1918. It told the story of a genre I loved, but as a result of this book I no longer love. The West and Russia murder, interfere in the policies of other Countries, and both cheat and lie in order to maintain an edge in a fight that is no longer Ideology, but just plan greed and the urge for power. Well done, Calder Walton! Now I must find another genre to love. No more the suave James Bond and his woman or the wisdom of George Smiley, because the true spy game is too scary.
October 29, 2025
I did enjoy this even though I had to keep going back to re-read sections. There is lots of information that it's best to try and keep in mind.
The real life of spies.
The real life of spies.
June 30, 2023
Calder Walton's book, "Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West," offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the clandestine world of espionage during the Cold War. Drawing from a wide range of sources, including declassified documents and personal interviews, Walton provides readers with a captivating narrative that sheds light on the complex and high-stakes intelligence operations conducted by both the Western and Eastern powers. One of the most commendable aspects of Walton's work is his ability to present a balanced and nuanced account of the intelligence war. He meticulously dissects the activities of intelligence agencies such as the CIA, KGB, MI6, and Mossad, revealing the intricate web of spies, double agents, and covert operations that characterized this era. By exploring both sides of the conflict, Walton avoids the pitfalls of bias and offers readers a more complete understanding of the motivations and tactics employed by the intelligence services of both superpowers. Moreover, "Spies" delves deep into the geopolitical context that shaped the intelligence landscape of the time. Walton skillfully weaves together historical events, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Wall, and the Korean War, with the intelligence operations that played a crucial role in these pivotal moments. This contextualization not only enhances the reader's understanding of the Cold War but also underscores the immense significance of intelligence gathering and analysis in shaping global events. Walton effectively balances historical facts with personal anecdotes and thrilling espionage stories, making "Spies" a page-turner that appeals to both scholars and general readers with an interest in the subject. Walton also tackles the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by intelligence agencies during this period. He examines the blurred lines between espionage and covert actions, exploring instances where intelligence operations veered into sabotage, assassination, and regime change. By examining the ethical implications of these actions, Walton prompts readers to reflect on the larger question of whether the ends justify the means in the world of intelligence. While "Spies" covers a vast array of intelligence operations, it does suffer from occasional gaps and uneven depth. Certain key events or personalities are given more attention than others, which may leave some readers wanting more. Additionally, the narrative could benefit from more explicit connections between different episodes, as the book occasionally feels disjointed in its structure. However, these minor shortcomings do not detract significantly from the overall value of "Spies." Walton's extensive research, meticulous attention to detail, and captivating storytelling make this book a valuable addition to the literature on Cold War espionage. By shedding light on the shadowy world of spies and the impact they had on global affairs, Walton offers a fresh perspective on a crucial aspect of the Cold War era. In conclusion, this book is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the covert operations that defined the Cold War. Through his well-researched and balanced approach, Walton provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the intelligence war, its historical context, and its ethical implications. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the secretive world of spies and the immense influence they wielded in shaping the course of history.
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December 15, 2023
Epic in scope and enjoyable to read (or listen to).
Lots of information crammed into this one, and yet I could have spent hours more listening to the intelligence wars between Russia and the West (UK/USA).
Lots of information crammed into this one, and yet I could have spent hours more listening to the intelligence wars between Russia and the West (UK/USA).
September 3, 2025
A overview of the 'spy game' over the past 100 years.
August 11, 2023
“The only difference between counterintelligence and paranoia is an index card.”
This book was absolutely phenomenal. Author Calder Walton pulls back the curtain and gives us a view of our world… politics and war… through the lens of espionage, as never seen before. He had access to a myriad of declassified documents—some of which were declassified as he was in process of writing this book—and interviews with former intelligence officers. The timeline takes us from the Bolshevik Revolution to present day, giving us 100 years of stories that ultimately detail the secretive world at play behind all of our lives; the espionage war between the East and the West.
You would not believe the level to which governments have been infiltrated… at nearly all levels, and in every department. As the author states at one point, “reality is often stranger than fiction,” and he’s right. If you’ve ever watched a movie or TV series based on tales of espionage, it’s more likely that it was created based on real life circumstances. “Bridge of Spies” is one example. So is, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” and the hit TV series, “The Americans.”
Some key points from the book…
1. Disinformation and fake news have been a part of the game for much longer than the last decade.
2. The Cold War isn’t confined to the traditional dates we are often told in school or otherwise. It started earlier and lasted much longer… or perhaps is still ongoing (depending on how one looks at it).
3. The East has been far more ruthless, in terms of spying, than the West; acting immorally or without concern for honoring agreements between the two sides, hence giving them a leg-up in one respect when it comes to espionage.
4. Over time, betrayal in the spy world became less about ideology and more about $$$.
A person could easily read this book and wonder how they are ever supposed to correctly discern events or information in our world. What’s real and what’s planted by intelligence communities? What events are “influenced” by subversion? The author does well at being direct on some things and offering caution when necessary. For example, he’s direct when describing personalities such as Putin or Trump, and he’s cautionary when discussing conspiracies, offering that “those who tend to see the work of a conspiracy tend to overestimate the competency of those in Whitehall.”
Overall, this book was fascinating, mind boggling, and a reminder of just how wicked the human heart is.
This book was absolutely phenomenal. Author Calder Walton pulls back the curtain and gives us a view of our world… politics and war… through the lens of espionage, as never seen before. He had access to a myriad of declassified documents—some of which were declassified as he was in process of writing this book—and interviews with former intelligence officers. The timeline takes us from the Bolshevik Revolution to present day, giving us 100 years of stories that ultimately detail the secretive world at play behind all of our lives; the espionage war between the East and the West.
You would not believe the level to which governments have been infiltrated… at nearly all levels, and in every department. As the author states at one point, “reality is often stranger than fiction,” and he’s right. If you’ve ever watched a movie or TV series based on tales of espionage, it’s more likely that it was created based on real life circumstances. “Bridge of Spies” is one example. So is, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” and the hit TV series, “The Americans.”
Some key points from the book…
1. Disinformation and fake news have been a part of the game for much longer than the last decade.
2. The Cold War isn’t confined to the traditional dates we are often told in school or otherwise. It started earlier and lasted much longer… or perhaps is still ongoing (depending on how one looks at it).
3. The East has been far more ruthless, in terms of spying, than the West; acting immorally or without concern for honoring agreements between the two sides, hence giving them a leg-up in one respect when it comes to espionage.
4. Over time, betrayal in the spy world became less about ideology and more about $$$.
A person could easily read this book and wonder how they are ever supposed to correctly discern events or information in our world. What’s real and what’s planted by intelligence communities? What events are “influenced” by subversion? The author does well at being direct on some things and offering caution when necessary. For example, he’s direct when describing personalities such as Putin or Trump, and he’s cautionary when discussing conspiracies, offering that “those who tend to see the work of a conspiracy tend to overestimate the competency of those in Whitehall.”
Overall, this book was fascinating, mind boggling, and a reminder of just how wicked the human heart is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2023
An extensive and in-depth journey covering the role that intelligence played (and continues to play) between Eastern and Western powers.
Walton covers a lot of history in his book and mainly sticks to the antagonistic relationship between the Soviet Union and Western powers. he starts with the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and steadily (though, not strictly linearly) progresses through the years and different eras of the intelligence war all the way up to the very current Russian invasion of Ukraine (there's also a reference to the Chinese spy balloon from earlier this year).
Although feeling somewhat disjointed at times, the book takes a more thematic approach to telling the evolving role of intelligence (Stalin is alive, then he's dead, then he's alive again, etc.). There's also a lot of information and storylines that Walton tells. I found myself getting kind of lost in the sauce at times (so many people, code names, agencies to keep track of) but the bigger picture was always clear.
I found the last few chapters to be the most compelling and engaging when discussing the rise of Putin's authoritarian Russia and the very real current threat of Cold War 2.0 with China.
If you're interested in how history shapes our current world and what the past could say about our future, I would definitely recommend this book.
Walton covers a lot of history in his book and mainly sticks to the antagonistic relationship between the Soviet Union and Western powers. he starts with the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and steadily (though, not strictly linearly) progresses through the years and different eras of the intelligence war all the way up to the very current Russian invasion of Ukraine (there's also a reference to the Chinese spy balloon from earlier this year).
Although feeling somewhat disjointed at times, the book takes a more thematic approach to telling the evolving role of intelligence (Stalin is alive, then he's dead, then he's alive again, etc.). There's also a lot of information and storylines that Walton tells. I found myself getting kind of lost in the sauce at times (so many people, code names, agencies to keep track of) but the bigger picture was always clear.
I found the last few chapters to be the most compelling and engaging when discussing the rise of Putin's authoritarian Russia and the very real current threat of Cold War 2.0 with China.
If you're interested in how history shapes our current world and what the past could say about our future, I would definitely recommend this book.
November 8, 2023
This is the epic story of the clandestine intelligence war between the Soviet Union and Western democracies, mainly the U.S. and U.K. Told in very digestible and narrative prose, the author takes a deep dive into the history of both East and West intelligence agencies before describing the many battles between the nations and their spies. Mostly focused on the Cold War time period, Walton seemingly touches on every facet of tradecraft used by East and West to gain an advantage, and also shares some of the wildest espionage stories of spies from both sides. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and many of the real life stories provided in this book confirm that. In the end, Walton also touches on the now raging Cold War 2.0 between the West and China and Russia. The biggest thing I took away from this book was a newfound appreciation for intelligence agencies and their impact on historical events and public policy past, present, and future. If history, the Cold War, spies or intelligence agencies interest you in the slightest, this is the book for you.
July 19, 2023
Retelling of old stories
Retelling of much more intelligent and deeper books from other sources on the history of the Cold War. The author loses all credibility with his discussion of the now discredited Mueller investigation. Trying to find phantoms behind the most corrupt politician of our era, Hillary Clinton.
Retelling of much more intelligent and deeper books from other sources on the history of the Cold War. The author loses all credibility with his discussion of the now discredited Mueller investigation. Trying to find phantoms behind the most corrupt politician of our era, Hillary Clinton.
August 10, 2023
We were doing OK until he went on his Trump rant. In my opinion, he appears to hate Trump and hate God for making Trump. Unbelievably, he may be the last person in America to refer to the Steele dossier with a straight face. I can't believe he left out the "pee tape". Maybe he included it. I fast forwarded through the manic part. Bless his heart.
May 7, 2024
This book is written for historians that are especially enthusiastic about Soviet intelligence, and I will not lie, that is not me. I also felt like the US was glorified while the Soviet Union is continuously villainized. Also women are portrayed horribly in this book.
February 26, 2024
An interesting history of the Cold War through the spy and intelligence perspective, with added chapters at the end discussing Putin’s Russia and the new Cold War with China. The last few pages veer off into the authors love for Obama and disgust with Trump, but this is not a major thread throughout the book.
March 9, 2025
Hypnotically terrifying
September 12, 2024
Well written, not well delivered on audible. Incredibly detailed, but deviates often from history to emphasize commentary and even partisan perspective. Regardless, this book is likely unique in how exhaustive a look this is at America’s role in espionage, counter-espionage, and the current opportunities to undermine American power both domestically and via prestige.
May 20, 2024
A great book! I had no idea of the depth and duration of the Russian intelligence war against the United States. The fall of the Soviet Union did not stop this war and it may have even increased in intensity since. And now we have another Cold War developing with China!
May 9, 2024
Calder Walton's epic story of the espionage war between East and West is, first and foremost, fascinating.
He covers the subject thematically, treating each major theme in roughly chronological order, except where departure from strict chronology aids in understanding. The author clarifies when and why this is happening.
A key theme of the book is that the intelligence conflict is a clash between authoritarianism and liberal democracy, and authoritarian regimes have key advantages. Their intelligence services are not subject to the rule of law, strict oversight, accountability for mad designs, or morality. Operational effectiveness is the only consideration, as evidenced by the assassination at by Russian GU agents of a troublesome dissident by radioactive poison, resulting in the collateral irradiation of dozens of innocent people.
This is not to say that Western intelligence services have not had their own fiascos, such as meddling in elections in Central and South America, to the great detriment of all concerned, including the US, due to US leadership's myopic fixation on Communism. Similarly, after 9/11, the author makes the point that a fixation on kinetic counter-terrorism gave authoritarian actors room to maneuver freely and largely unobserved by the West.
As a normal American, I am perhaps susceptible to the illusion that our society is secure, our values universal, and our enemies far away. This book disabuses the reader of such illusions, carefully and painstakingly walking through the astonishing breadth of the intelligence efforts brought to bear against us, from spies in key positions in US and British intelligence to Soviet/Russian meddling in elections to the Chinese whole-of-society approach to intelligence gathering.
Did you know that Chinese law requires companies to disclose to the CCP information gained from their overseas business dealings upon request? I didn't. That changes the entire scope of the enterprise.
Speaking of scope, the book points out that the KGB at its height employed 420,000 people, and the Chinese MSS employs close to double that number.
Western intelligence services are minuscule by comparison, although it is worth pointing out that much of the manpower (and it is almost all men in the services of our authoritarian rivals) is devoted to suppressing the local population and keeping the regime in power, rather than deployed overseas.
Where lies the future of intelligence? The author convincingly argues that the future is in cyber, with human espionage a niche element. Personally, I think he overstates the point, and that the cyber realm merely extends the reach and speed of the same signals intelligence, electronic intelligence, disinformation, and spycraft that have always defined the intelligence landscape.
The book is not perfect, as other reviews have pointed out. As a monument to prose, it falls short, though that was never the author's purpose.
There were also places where the author provided statements or conclusions that seemed startling and important, but frustratingly refrained from providing additional analysis or details. Whether this was due to constraints of space (the book is large, as is), or due to the paucity of publicly available information, or because state secrets laws precluded going into further detail, sometimes, the book left me wanting more.
The author does have a website where those interested may browse for further detail. But, websites come, and websites go, and there is no telling how long that resource will remain available.
Despite these relatively minor flaws, SPIES changed the way I perceive the geopolitical landscape and international relations, and it changed the way I perceive the social bubble that I personally inhabit.
I offer a heartfelt thank you to the brave professionals of Western intelligence agencies, and to those agents who have turned against authoritarianism at great personal risk, for all that they have done and continue to do.
Highly recommended.
He covers the subject thematically, treating each major theme in roughly chronological order, except where departure from strict chronology aids in understanding. The author clarifies when and why this is happening.
A key theme of the book is that the intelligence conflict is a clash between authoritarianism and liberal democracy, and authoritarian regimes have key advantages. Their intelligence services are not subject to the rule of law, strict oversight, accountability for mad designs, or morality. Operational effectiveness is the only consideration, as evidenced by the assassination at by Russian GU agents of a troublesome dissident by radioactive poison, resulting in the collateral irradiation of dozens of innocent people.
This is not to say that Western intelligence services have not had their own fiascos, such as meddling in elections in Central and South America, to the great detriment of all concerned, including the US, due to US leadership's myopic fixation on Communism. Similarly, after 9/11, the author makes the point that a fixation on kinetic counter-terrorism gave authoritarian actors room to maneuver freely and largely unobserved by the West.
As a normal American, I am perhaps susceptible to the illusion that our society is secure, our values universal, and our enemies far away. This book disabuses the reader of such illusions, carefully and painstakingly walking through the astonishing breadth of the intelligence efforts brought to bear against us, from spies in key positions in US and British intelligence to Soviet/Russian meddling in elections to the Chinese whole-of-society approach to intelligence gathering.
Did you know that Chinese law requires companies to disclose to the CCP information gained from their overseas business dealings upon request? I didn't. That changes the entire scope of the enterprise.
Speaking of scope, the book points out that the KGB at its height employed 420,000 people, and the Chinese MSS employs close to double that number.
Western intelligence services are minuscule by comparison, although it is worth pointing out that much of the manpower (and it is almost all men in the services of our authoritarian rivals) is devoted to suppressing the local population and keeping the regime in power, rather than deployed overseas.
Where lies the future of intelligence? The author convincingly argues that the future is in cyber, with human espionage a niche element. Personally, I think he overstates the point, and that the cyber realm merely extends the reach and speed of the same signals intelligence, electronic intelligence, disinformation, and spycraft that have always defined the intelligence landscape.
The book is not perfect, as other reviews have pointed out. As a monument to prose, it falls short, though that was never the author's purpose.
There were also places where the author provided statements or conclusions that seemed startling and important, but frustratingly refrained from providing additional analysis or details. Whether this was due to constraints of space (the book is large, as is), or due to the paucity of publicly available information, or because state secrets laws precluded going into further detail, sometimes, the book left me wanting more.
The author does have a website where those interested may browse for further detail. But, websites come, and websites go, and there is no telling how long that resource will remain available.
Despite these relatively minor flaws, SPIES changed the way I perceive the geopolitical landscape and international relations, and it changed the way I perceive the social bubble that I personally inhabit.
I offer a heartfelt thank you to the brave professionals of Western intelligence agencies, and to those agents who have turned against authoritarianism at great personal risk, for all that they have done and continue to do.
Highly recommended.
December 30, 2024
Calder put together an absolutely fantastic analysis of the intelligence battle between East and West. His research appears to be thorough, in-depth, and well-sourced.
Calder also found a way to take often dry subject matter and made it interesting, drawing the reader in and allowing one to picture what they were reading.
The one flaw comes when Calder talks of the United States since 2016. He throws out the academic rigor and non-personal bias of the rest of the book and floods the reader with the perfect Harvard liberal assault on President Trump, derailing the flow of the book and making you question the integrity of other sections of the material.
I am not stating Calder cannot have his own opinion, but the few pages dedicated to modern America are:
1) Taken straight out of the Harvard playbook so many others from that prestigious institution use to bash anyone not in their liberal fold.
2) NOT about intelligence or the intelligence battle between East and West...which is the whole point of this book.
3) Lacking robust and un-biased academic scholarship based on fact.
4) Conclusions falling prey to the very Chinese and Russian influence on social media, American viewpoints, and American academic institutions he spoke about for 40 pages or more throughout the text.
These pages almost derailed the book but were so sparse, one can throw them out and look at the book for what 98% of it is: an outstanding analysis of the intelligence war between Eastern civilization and Western civilization.
Bottom Line: Toss out Calder's biased viewpoints of Trump and you have a fantastic book covering a subject most Americans know very little about.
Try and NOT learn something in this book. I triple-dog dare you.
Calder also found a way to take often dry subject matter and made it interesting, drawing the reader in and allowing one to picture what they were reading.
The one flaw comes when Calder talks of the United States since 2016. He throws out the academic rigor and non-personal bias of the rest of the book and floods the reader with the perfect Harvard liberal assault on President Trump, derailing the flow of the book and making you question the integrity of other sections of the material.
I am not stating Calder cannot have his own opinion, but the few pages dedicated to modern America are:
1) Taken straight out of the Harvard playbook so many others from that prestigious institution use to bash anyone not in their liberal fold.
2) NOT about intelligence or the intelligence battle between East and West...which is the whole point of this book.
3) Lacking robust and un-biased academic scholarship based on fact.
4) Conclusions falling prey to the very Chinese and Russian influence on social media, American viewpoints, and American academic institutions he spoke about for 40 pages or more throughout the text.
These pages almost derailed the book but were so sparse, one can throw them out and look at the book for what 98% of it is: an outstanding analysis of the intelligence war between Eastern civilization and Western civilization.
Bottom Line: Toss out Calder's biased viewpoints of Trump and you have a fantastic book covering a subject most Americans know very little about.
Try and NOT learn something in this book. I triple-dog dare you.
April 8, 2024
Calder Walton's "Spies" is an ambitious and largely successful attempt to chronicle the sprawling history of espionage between the East and West over the last century. The book is a well-researched, engaging narrative that sheds light on the often shadowy world of intelligence operations and their profound impact on global events.
Walton's prose is clear and compelling, guiding the reader through a complex web of historical events, covert operations, and larger-than-life personalities. The book's scope is vast, covering everything from the early days of the Bolshevik Revolution to the current era of cyber warfare and troll farms. Despite this breadth, Walton maintains a coherent narrative thread, deftly weaving disparate strands of history into a tapestry that illuminates the ongoing struggle between East and West.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its balanced perspective. Walton avoids painting either side as heroes or villains, presenting a nuanced picture of the moral ambiguities inherent in espionage. He is unsparing in his critique of the failures and excesses of both Western and Eastern intelligence agencies while also highlighting instances of bravery and ingenuity on both sides.
However, while laudable, the book's strict adherence to facts can sometimes limit its scope. Given Walton's deep understanding of the subject matter, it would have been fascinating to see him engage in more informed speculation about current events in the world of espionage. Additionally, the sheer volume of information and the focus on details occasionally make the narrative feel verbose and overwhelming.
Despite these limitations, "Spies" remains an impressive work of historical analysis and storytelling. It offers valuable insights into the past and a framework for understanding the complexities of global power dynamics.
Walton's prose is clear and compelling, guiding the reader through a complex web of historical events, covert operations, and larger-than-life personalities. The book's scope is vast, covering everything from the early days of the Bolshevik Revolution to the current era of cyber warfare and troll farms. Despite this breadth, Walton maintains a coherent narrative thread, deftly weaving disparate strands of history into a tapestry that illuminates the ongoing struggle between East and West.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its balanced perspective. Walton avoids painting either side as heroes or villains, presenting a nuanced picture of the moral ambiguities inherent in espionage. He is unsparing in his critique of the failures and excesses of both Western and Eastern intelligence agencies while also highlighting instances of bravery and ingenuity on both sides.
However, while laudable, the book's strict adherence to facts can sometimes limit its scope. Given Walton's deep understanding of the subject matter, it would have been fascinating to see him engage in more informed speculation about current events in the world of espionage. Additionally, the sheer volume of information and the focus on details occasionally make the narrative feel verbose and overwhelming.
Despite these limitations, "Spies" remains an impressive work of historical analysis and storytelling. It offers valuable insights into the past and a framework for understanding the complexities of global power dynamics.
July 7, 2024
Excellent book that demonstrated the importance of intelligence collection during the Cold War and its relevance in today’s competition with China. The book takes you through an almost chronological story of the Cold War, highlighting the most critical moments where intelligence played a key role.
October 7, 2023
Amazone
For me: a mite disappointing
I'll admit, in here we find a wealth of information; along with the games played by the spy agencies there is a good amount, and I’d venture too much, history of the past century’s political manoeuverings, subterfuge and gambits. We read a great deal about the thoughts, ideas, plans of government ministers, presidents and supreme leaders on both sides of the divide, with lengthy preamble of the intelligence agencies efforts that did, or may well have, worked in tandem with the political schemes. We are even told of what certain ministers did say, or may well have said, in those times.
884 pages that describe, I believe, in far too long a fashion, how the information gathered on other nations, by fair means or foul, is reacted to by the spy agency’s customer [their government].
A theme I take from this work is that the author is asking us to believe that for many years, from before The Revolution in Russia up until post the Second War, intelligence agencies in the west were playing catch-up with their adversaries in the east. As a broad and general statement that can be argued, but not to the extent portrayed here.
Early in this we are told, "MI6’s archives reveal that it had little intelligence from inside Russia in the first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule." It seems to me, the author paints British Intelligence during the early part of the last century as floundering around with no idea of what was happening in Russia post The Revolution.
The author further states: "The Cheka was far ahead of Western intelligence services in recognising the importance of recruiting well-placed agents with access to code books. In May 1921, at the height of the Red Terror, Lenin established an independent SIGINT body run jointly by the Cheka and the Soviet Red Army (military) intelligence."
As the beginnings of The Revolution began to smoulder, Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming (who is mentioned by the author), the first chief of SIS (MI6) personally dispatched agents into the field with instructions to work unsupported and gather information, some of whom were in Russia during the 'first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule'. A decision made by 'C', putting British Intelligence on the front foot, as he was aware the government were desperate to have reliable, up-to-date, information fed back to Britain.
In this account of history, Bruce Lockhart (British Consul General in Moscow (1915-1917) - Head of the Unofficial British Mission in Moscow (1917-1918)) is dismissed as a hard drinking Scotsman. In my reading of this, the author sees fit to allude to the fact that Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart was in some way involved in the plot to kill Lenin: from all that I've previously read, the accusation was politically motivated, and Lockhart was used by the Bolsheviks as a pawn in exchange for a London based Russian diplomat arrested for engaging in propaganda activities. Lockhart was tried and found guilty in absentia. I’ve read much from these times, including Lockhart’s memoirs and I’d suggest most saw Lockhart as a brave, resourceful, 'accidental intelligence agent' who did his very best in the most trying of circumstances.
Sidney Reilly is here accused of being a womaniser and philanderer: that to some extent may well be true, but in my understanding it is far from 'nothing but the truth'. He was an incredibly brave individual and able to use his intellect to find favour with many connected adversaries. He used woman as part of his many covers thus socialising grandly, which allowed him to be so readily accepted; and, from my readings, he provided the British with a great deal of reliable information.
I note, with some surprise, there is no mention of the momentous work [information couriered back to Britain] done by Paul Dukes and Captain George Hill: two agents (intelligence officers) personally dispatched by Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming.
From my readings, neither Sir Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart, Sir Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill cast Sidney Reilly as simply a womaniser and philanderer; and neither Sir Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill looked upon Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart as a little more than a drunkard. In his account of matters, Captain George Hill (a man who lived by his wits and achieved incredibly) saw Sidney Reilly as a fearless, determined individual who could be relied upon in a tight corner.
During and after the 'first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule' both Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill ran extensive networks with informants providing masses of up to date information that was used by London to create large quantities of useful intelligence. Codes, invisible inks, disguises, forged identities, all manner of tradecraft was employed. Paul Dukes became the Cheka's 'Most Wanted Man' He was known as the 'Man of a Hundred Faces': he was at one time carrying with him Cheka identification papers and frequently passed himself off as a Cheka officer. Both of these men were British agents, in the field, handling informants, managing and keeping intact networks: they ran circles around the Cheka. The Cheka, it is said by those who faced them day-in and day-out, during the Cheka’s early days, were little more than illiterate thugs: easily duped and open to all manner of bribery.
Upon his return to Britain, Paul Dukes. was cited as a distinguished hero. In 1920, he was knighted by King George V, who called Paul Dukes 'the greatest of all soldiers' Sir Paul Dukes remains the only person to be knighted based upon his espionage activities alone; and to this day remains a standard-bearer of great acclaim within the house at Vauxhall Cross.
The author assures us this book is based upon five-years of exhaustive research; I wonder if in those five-years the author was looking for a novel line of approach to what are already well documented events. It's said, by many a good barrister, that you should only ever put before the Court the evidence that supports your argument.
Iain
---
Great book until chapter 18
I don't usually read spy books but the WSJ review convinced me to order and read a copy. It was a very interesting book all the way until chapter 18 (First star downgraded) where is came off the rails for me.
Chapter 18 is full mostly of guesswork such as stating that China will become the #1 economy in ten years when facts from the time period this book was written demonstrate that China has peaked and will only decline especially with its return to extreme totalitarian government.
I find books written by members of academia are out of touch with the real world with the tiresome vitriol against the former President but yet has no concern whatsoever for the current administration. Too funny and for this I took a second star off.
Joe
---
Uneven and Too Long, But Interesting
My read: very good, revealing, and convincing first third on intelligence history and techique; wandering, slow and repetitive second third, burdened with detail and U.S. secrecy foolishness; unwelcome politically leaning uninformative, overly long last third.
Author defends and romanticises the CIA without collecting in one summary space, as it should, the list of mentioned (and no doubt many ommitted and unmentioned) colassal CIA failures over the years.
Overall, important as the book persuades us intelligence gathering and covert action is, our top intelligence apparatus after the OSS years does not merit a top grade. It seems too undermanned and under-resourced, to say nothing of too often unimaginative and passive in its leadership, to do better.
Given our values, other demands on the public purse, and the vagaries necessarily introduced by regular changes in presidential leadership, the discomforting state of our intelligence affairs seems likely to remain as it is.
Three and a half stars would be my real grade for the book.
Andrew M. Klein
---
Villains on all sides
The world of espionage and counter-espionage is fascinating, and this book gives a useful run through the battles between East and West in that secret world over the last hundred years. It covers everything from Russia’s “Cheka” in the 1920s, through Kim Philby and the Cold War spies, right up to the present day.
So, why am I only giving it three stars? Well, the author rightly insists that the undercover battles he describes have to be seen in the context of broader geopolitics. And it is Walton’s view of those geopolitics that weakens his book.
Walton admits that Western intelligence agencies have made mistakes and done some immoral things, but his overall view suggests that Western “liberal democracies” are the “goodies” and the Eastern regimes of Russia and China are the “baddies”. I consider this to be naïve.
Stalin’s USSR, Putin’s Russia, and the Chinese regime are/were blatantly tyrannical: that is obviously true. But our "democracy" in the West is totally distorted by the economic power of the ruling class and their control of the media and the state machine. The control exercised by our rulers in the West is more subtle than that of the rulers of Russia and China, but it is control nevertheless.
The West is "traditional" (oligarchic) capitalism; Putin's Russia is gangster-capitalism; and China is a bureaucratic state capitalist tyranny of the Stalinist model. The secret services of all three serve the interests of their rulers, not of the mass of the population.
Walton also fails to distinguish between Marx and Lenin on the one hand, and Stalin’s tyranny on the other. He refers to “communist dictatorship, which Marx described, and Lenin created.” In fact, Marx said that socialism was "the self-emancipation of the working class", and his model for a workers' state was the Paris Commune, where all officials were elected, subject to recall at any time, and paid the average worker's wage.
And the Bolshevik Revolution was not a “coup”, as Walton claims. Rather, it was based on a mass movement, and it only took place when the Bolsheviks had won the majority on the Soviets (highly democratic workers’ councils). Sadly, that initial democracy was destroyed by 14 foreign armies and the Russian White Army, and then by Stalin's bureaucratic counter-revolution in the 1920s. The tragedy of the Cheka resorting to ruthless methods was the result of the Civil War, during which the White armies far outdid the Bolsheviks in brutality. The fact that the USSR ended up as a one-party state was a sign of the failure of the revolution, not its success.
Stalin and Putin’s secret services (and China’s) were and are certainly villains. But so are those of the Western powers – as shown, just to give one example, by the CIA-backed coup against the democratically elected government of Allende in Chile.
I'm reminded of what someone said at the height of the Cold War: "The Free World isn't really free; and the Communist World isn't really communist."
During the Cold War genuine Marxists (who defined the USSR as a bureaucratic state capitalist tyranny) came up with the slogan of "Neither Washington nor Moscow but International Socialism". Today we need to say: "Neither Washington nor Moscow nor Beijing etc..."
There are no “goodies” in the secret war.
Phil Webster
---
For me: a mite disappointing
I'll admit, in here we find a wealth of information; along with the games played by the spy agencies there is a good amount, and I’d venture too much, history of the past century’s political manoeuverings, subterfuge and gambits. We read a great deal about the thoughts, ideas, plans of government ministers, presidents and supreme leaders on both sides of the divide, with lengthy preamble of the intelligence agencies efforts that did, or may well have, worked in tandem with the political schemes. We are even told of what certain ministers did say, or may well have said, in those times.
884 pages that describe, I believe, in far too long a fashion, how the information gathered on other nations, by fair means or foul, is reacted to by the spy agency’s customer [their government].
A theme I take from this work is that the author is asking us to believe that for many years, from before The Revolution in Russia up until post the Second War, intelligence agencies in the west were playing catch-up with their adversaries in the east. As a broad and general statement that can be argued, but not to the extent portrayed here.
Early in this we are told, "MI6’s archives reveal that it had little intelligence from inside Russia in the first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule." It seems to me, the author paints British Intelligence during the early part of the last century as floundering around with no idea of what was happening in Russia post The Revolution.
The author further states: "The Cheka was far ahead of Western intelligence services in recognising the importance of recruiting well-placed agents with access to code books. In May 1921, at the height of the Red Terror, Lenin established an independent SIGINT body run jointly by the Cheka and the Soviet Red Army (military) intelligence."
As the beginnings of The Revolution began to smoulder, Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming (who is mentioned by the author), the first chief of SIS (MI6) personally dispatched agents into the field with instructions to work unsupported and gather information, some of whom were in Russia during the 'first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule'. A decision made by 'C', putting British Intelligence on the front foot, as he was aware the government were desperate to have reliable, up-to-date, information fed back to Britain.
In this account of history, Bruce Lockhart (British Consul General in Moscow (1915-1917) - Head of the Unofficial British Mission in Moscow (1917-1918)) is dismissed as a hard drinking Scotsman. In my reading of this, the author sees fit to allude to the fact that Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart was in some way involved in the plot to kill Lenin: from all that I've previously read, the accusation was politically motivated, and Lockhart was used by the Bolsheviks as a pawn in exchange for a London based Russian diplomat arrested for engaging in propaganda activities. Lockhart was tried and found guilty in absentia. I’ve read much from these times, including Lockhart’s memoirs and I’d suggest most saw Lockhart as a brave, resourceful, 'accidental intelligence agent' who did his very best in the most trying of circumstances.
Sidney Reilly is here accused of being a womaniser and philanderer: that to some extent may well be true, but in my understanding it is far from 'nothing but the truth'. He was an incredibly brave individual and able to use his intellect to find favour with many connected adversaries. He used woman as part of his many covers thus socialising grandly, which allowed him to be so readily accepted; and, from my readings, he provided the British with a great deal of reliable information.
I note, with some surprise, there is no mention of the momentous work [information couriered back to Britain] done by Paul Dukes and Captain George Hill: two agents (intelligence officers) personally dispatched by Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming.
From my readings, neither Sir Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart, Sir Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill cast Sidney Reilly as simply a womaniser and philanderer; and neither Sir Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill looked upon Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart as a little more than a drunkard. In his account of matters, Captain George Hill (a man who lived by his wits and achieved incredibly) saw Sidney Reilly as a fearless, determined individual who could be relied upon in a tight corner.
During and after the 'first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule' both Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill ran extensive networks with informants providing masses of up to date information that was used by London to create large quantities of useful intelligence. Codes, invisible inks, disguises, forged identities, all manner of tradecraft was employed. Paul Dukes became the Cheka's 'Most Wanted Man' He was known as the 'Man of a Hundred Faces': he was at one time carrying with him Cheka identification papers and frequently passed himself off as a Cheka officer. Both of these men were British agents, in the field, handling informants, managing and keeping intact networks: they ran circles around the Cheka. The Cheka, it is said by those who faced them day-in and day-out, during the Cheka’s early days, were little more than illiterate thugs: easily duped and open to all manner of bribery.
Upon his return to Britain, Paul Dukes. was cited as a distinguished hero. In 1920, he was knighted by King George V, who called Paul Dukes 'the greatest of all soldiers' Sir Paul Dukes remains the only person to be knighted based upon his espionage activities alone; and to this day remains a standard-bearer of great acclaim within the house at Vauxhall Cross.
The author assures us this book is based upon five-years of exhaustive research; I wonder if in those five-years the author was looking for a novel line of approach to what are already well documented events. It's said, by many a good barrister, that you should only ever put before the Court the evidence that supports your argument.
Iain
---
Great book until chapter 18
I don't usually read spy books but the WSJ review convinced me to order and read a copy. It was a very interesting book all the way until chapter 18 (First star downgraded) where is came off the rails for me.
Chapter 18 is full mostly of guesswork such as stating that China will become the #1 economy in ten years when facts from the time period this book was written demonstrate that China has peaked and will only decline especially with its return to extreme totalitarian government.
I find books written by members of academia are out of touch with the real world with the tiresome vitriol against the former President but yet has no concern whatsoever for the current administration. Too funny and for this I took a second star off.
Joe
---
Uneven and Too Long, But Interesting
My read: very good, revealing, and convincing first third on intelligence history and techique; wandering, slow and repetitive second third, burdened with detail and U.S. secrecy foolishness; unwelcome politically leaning uninformative, overly long last third.
Author defends and romanticises the CIA without collecting in one summary space, as it should, the list of mentioned (and no doubt many ommitted and unmentioned) colassal CIA failures over the years.
Overall, important as the book persuades us intelligence gathering and covert action is, our top intelligence apparatus after the OSS years does not merit a top grade. It seems too undermanned and under-resourced, to say nothing of too often unimaginative and passive in its leadership, to do better.
Given our values, other demands on the public purse, and the vagaries necessarily introduced by regular changes in presidential leadership, the discomforting state of our intelligence affairs seems likely to remain as it is.
Three and a half stars would be my real grade for the book.
Andrew M. Klein
---
Villains on all sides
The world of espionage and counter-espionage is fascinating, and this book gives a useful run through the battles between East and West in that secret world over the last hundred years. It covers everything from Russia’s “Cheka” in the 1920s, through Kim Philby and the Cold War spies, right up to the present day.
So, why am I only giving it three stars? Well, the author rightly insists that the undercover battles he describes have to be seen in the context of broader geopolitics. And it is Walton’s view of those geopolitics that weakens his book.
Walton admits that Western intelligence agencies have made mistakes and done some immoral things, but his overall view suggests that Western “liberal democracies” are the “goodies” and the Eastern regimes of Russia and China are the “baddies”. I consider this to be naïve.
Stalin’s USSR, Putin’s Russia, and the Chinese regime are/were blatantly tyrannical: that is obviously true. But our "democracy" in the West is totally distorted by the economic power of the ruling class and their control of the media and the state machine. The control exercised by our rulers in the West is more subtle than that of the rulers of Russia and China, but it is control nevertheless.
The West is "traditional" (oligarchic) capitalism; Putin's Russia is gangster-capitalism; and China is a bureaucratic state capitalist tyranny of the Stalinist model. The secret services of all three serve the interests of their rulers, not of the mass of the population.
Walton also fails to distinguish between Marx and Lenin on the one hand, and Stalin’s tyranny on the other. He refers to “communist dictatorship, which Marx described, and Lenin created.” In fact, Marx said that socialism was "the self-emancipation of the working class", and his model for a workers' state was the Paris Commune, where all officials were elected, subject to recall at any time, and paid the average worker's wage.
And the Bolshevik Revolution was not a “coup”, as Walton claims. Rather, it was based on a mass movement, and it only took place when the Bolsheviks had won the majority on the Soviets (highly democratic workers’ councils). Sadly, that initial democracy was destroyed by 14 foreign armies and the Russian White Army, and then by Stalin's bureaucratic counter-revolution in the 1920s. The tragedy of the Cheka resorting to ruthless methods was the result of the Civil War, during which the White armies far outdid the Bolsheviks in brutality. The fact that the USSR ended up as a one-party state was a sign of the failure of the revolution, not its success.
Stalin and Putin’s secret services (and China’s) were and are certainly villains. But so are those of the Western powers – as shown, just to give one example, by the CIA-backed coup against the democratically elected government of Allende in Chile.
I'm reminded of what someone said at the height of the Cold War: "The Free World isn't really free; and the Communist World isn't really communist."
During the Cold War genuine Marxists (who defined the USSR as a bureaucratic state capitalist tyranny) came up with the slogan of "Neither Washington nor Moscow but International Socialism". Today we need to say: "Neither Washington nor Moscow nor Beijing etc..."
There are no “goodies” in the secret war.
Phil Webster
---
April 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book!
August 26, 2023
One of the most detailed and comprehensively written histories of the invisible intelligence war between the East and the West. Walton impresses with his depth of research and captivating writing style.
I expected Walton to not cover India's relationship with US and USSR during the latter half of 20th century. But I expected more than a cursory chapter that only covered the frosty relations between Indira Gandhi and Nixon/Kissinger.
Walton's view is visibly written from the perspective of the West. But he doesn't pull any punches highlighting the chaos and imbalance caused by CIA's and MI6's covert action in the global south.
Deeply enjoyable read, highly recommended!
I expected Walton to not cover India's relationship with US and USSR during the latter half of 20th century. But I expected more than a cursory chapter that only covered the frosty relations between Indira Gandhi and Nixon/Kissinger.
Walton's view is visibly written from the perspective of the West. But he doesn't pull any punches highlighting the chaos and imbalance caused by CIA's and MI6's covert action in the global south.
Deeply enjoyable read, highly recommended!
July 21, 2023
Spies provides an excellent summary of US and Soviet intelligence, hitting the high points from World War I to the current war in Ukraine. Walton offers new perspectives on the intelligence war by taking a wide view of the US / Russia espionage and bringing in new sources of information to enlighten older stories. Walton broadens the discussion beyond the human spies and agents employed by either side to discuss the roles if signals and imagery in supporting either side's intelligence collection.
The only downside is that a book like this must naturally focus on the sensational incidents, such as the high-profile spies who were captured on either side, and the reactions of each country to those incidents. As such, Walton does not have the opportunity to focus on less well-known incidents of espionage or offer insights that would benefit from a broad view unbiased by the sensational incidents and high-level policymakers reactions to those events. Of course, no author can focus on the incidents of spycraft that were successful, both operationally and by virtue of being revealed to the public.
Despite this natural weakness, Walton offers a logical and enjoyable narrative to understand US / Russian espionage, placing current events in the broader context of spycraft that has been ongoing since World War I This suggests that it is more likely than not that we are already immersed in the trends highlighted by Walton, and that they will continue for the foreseeable future.
The only downside is that a book like this must naturally focus on the sensational incidents, such as the high-profile spies who were captured on either side, and the reactions of each country to those incidents. As such, Walton does not have the opportunity to focus on less well-known incidents of espionage or offer insights that would benefit from a broad view unbiased by the sensational incidents and high-level policymakers reactions to those events. Of course, no author can focus on the incidents of spycraft that were successful, both operationally and by virtue of being revealed to the public.
Despite this natural weakness, Walton offers a logical and enjoyable narrative to understand US / Russian espionage, placing current events in the broader context of spycraft that has been ongoing since World War I This suggests that it is more likely than not that we are already immersed in the trends highlighted by Walton, and that they will continue for the foreseeable future.
August 22, 2023
3.5 stars. Narrator: Dugald Bruce-Lockhart.
Deeply researched and engrossing history of its subject. I liked that it continued up to the present day, discussing the 2016 US Presidential election debacle as well as the ascendant threat posed by China in terms of its covert intelligence capabilities, action, and the threat they pose to the West in these areas.
If you enjoyed this book, I listened to and enjoyed these deeper dives into a few of the spies discussed:
A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal, Ben Macintyre, John Lee (narrator)
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War, Ben Macintyre, John Lee (narrator) - this one is about Oleg Gordievsky, and it immediately came to mind when he came up in "Spies".
More broadly related:
The Woman Who Smashed Codes, Jason Fagone, Cassandra Campbell (narrator) - gets into the origin on the MAGIC decrypts of US intelligence
Deeply researched and engrossing history of its subject. I liked that it continued up to the present day, discussing the 2016 US Presidential election debacle as well as the ascendant threat posed by China in terms of its covert intelligence capabilities, action, and the threat they pose to the West in these areas.
If you enjoyed this book, I listened to and enjoyed these deeper dives into a few of the spies discussed:
A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal, Ben Macintyre, John Lee (narrator)
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War, Ben Macintyre, John Lee (narrator) - this one is about Oleg Gordievsky, and it immediately came to mind when he came up in "Spies".
More broadly related:
The Woman Who Smashed Codes, Jason Fagone, Cassandra Campbell (narrator) - gets into the origin on the MAGIC decrypts of US intelligence
July 31, 2024
I'll admit, in here we find a wealth of information; along with the games played by the spy agencies there is a good amount, and I’d venture too much, history of the past century’s political manoeuverings, subterfuge and gambits. We read a great deal about the thoughts, ideas, plans of government ministers, presidents and supreme leaders on both sides of the divide, with lengthy preamble of the intelligence agencies efforts that did, or may well have, worked in tandem with the political schemes. We are even told of what certain ministers did say, or may well have said, in those times.
884 pages that describe, I believe, in far too long a fashion, how the information gathered on other nations, by fair means or foul, is reacted to by the spy agency’s customer [their government].
A theme I take from this work is that the author is asking us to believe that for many years, from before The Revolution in Russia up until post the Second War, intelligence agencies in the west were playing catch-up with their adversaries in the east. As a broad and general statement that can be argued, but not to the extent portrayed here.
Early in this we are told, "MI6’s archives reveal that it had little intelligence from inside Russia in the first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule." It seems to me, the author paints British Intelligence during the early part of the last century as floundering around with no idea of what was happening in Russia post The Revolution.
The author further states: "The Cheka was far ahead of Western intelligence services in recognising the importance of recruiting well-placed agents with access to code books. In May 1921, at the height of the Red Terror, Lenin established an independent SIGINT body run jointly by the Cheka and the Soviet Red Army (military) intelligence."
As the beginnings of The Revolution began to smoulder, Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming (who is mentioned by the author), the first chief of SIS (MI6) personally dispatched agents into the field with instructions to work unsupported and gather information, some of whom were in Russia during the 'first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule'. A decision made by 'C', putting British Intelligence on the front foot, as he was aware the government were desperate to have reliable, up-to-date, information fed back to Britain.
In this account of history, Bruce Lockhart (British Consul General in Moscow (1915-1917) - Head of the Unofficial British Mission in Moscow (1917-1918)) is dismissed as a hard drinking Scotsman. In my reading of this, the author sees fit to allude to the fact that Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart was in some way involved in the plot to kill Lenin: from all that I've previously read, the accusation was politically motivated, and Lockhart was used by the Bolsheviks as a pawn in exchange for a London based Russian diplomat arrested for engaging in propaganda activities. Lockhart was tried and found guilty in absentia. I’ve read much from these times, including Lockhart’s memoirs and I’d suggest most saw Lockhart as a brave, resourceful, 'accidental intelligence agent' who did his very best in the most trying of circumstances.
Sidney Reilly is here accused of being a womaniser and philanderer: that to some extent may well be true, but in my understanding it is far from 'nothing but the truth'. He was an incredibly brave individual and able to use his intellect to find favour with many connected adversaries. He used woman as part of his many covers thus socialising grandly, which allowed him to be so readily accepted; and, from my readings, he provided the British with a great deal of reliable information.
I note, with some surprise, there is no mention of the momentous work [information couriered back to Britain] done by Paul Dukes and Captain George Hill: two agents (intelligence officers) personally dispatched by Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming.
From my readings, neither Sir Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart, Sir Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill cast Sidney Reilly as simply a womaniser and philanderer; and neither Sir Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill looked upon Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart as a little more than a drunkard. In his account of matters, Captain George Hill (a man who lived by his wits and achieved incredibly) saw Sidney Reilly as a fearless, determined individual who could be relied upon in a tight corner.
During and after the 'first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule' both Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill ran extensive networks with informants providing masses of up to date information that was used by London to create large quantities of useful intelligence. Codes, invisible inks, disguises, forged identities, all manner of tradecraft was employed. Paul Dukes became the Cheka's 'Most Wanted Man' He was known as the 'Man of a Hundred Faces': he was at one time carrying with him Cheka identification papers and frequently passed himself off as a Cheka officer. Both of these men were British agents, in the field, handling informants, managing and keeping intact networks: they ran circles around the Cheka. The Cheka, it is said by those who faced them day-in and day-out, during the Cheka’s early days, were little more than illiterate thugs: easily duped and open to all manner of bribery.
Upon his return to Britain, Paul Dukes. was cited as a distinguished hero. In 1920, he was knighted by King George V, who called Paul Dukes 'the greatest of all soldiers' Sir Paul Dukes remains the only person to be knighted based upon his espionage activities alone; and to this day remains a standard-bearer of great acclaim within the house at Vauxhall Cross.
The author assures us this book is based upon five-years of exhaustive research; I wonder if in those five-years the author was looking for a novel line of approach to what are already well documented events. It's said, by many a good barrister, that you should only ever put before the Court the evidence that supports your argument.
884 pages that describe, I believe, in far too long a fashion, how the information gathered on other nations, by fair means or foul, is reacted to by the spy agency’s customer [their government].
A theme I take from this work is that the author is asking us to believe that for many years, from before The Revolution in Russia up until post the Second War, intelligence agencies in the west were playing catch-up with their adversaries in the east. As a broad and general statement that can be argued, but not to the extent portrayed here.
Early in this we are told, "MI6’s archives reveal that it had little intelligence from inside Russia in the first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule." It seems to me, the author paints British Intelligence during the early part of the last century as floundering around with no idea of what was happening in Russia post The Revolution.
The author further states: "The Cheka was far ahead of Western intelligence services in recognising the importance of recruiting well-placed agents with access to code books. In May 1921, at the height of the Red Terror, Lenin established an independent SIGINT body run jointly by the Cheka and the Soviet Red Army (military) intelligence."
As the beginnings of The Revolution began to smoulder, Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming (who is mentioned by the author), the first chief of SIS (MI6) personally dispatched agents into the field with instructions to work unsupported and gather information, some of whom were in Russia during the 'first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule'. A decision made by 'C', putting British Intelligence on the front foot, as he was aware the government were desperate to have reliable, up-to-date, information fed back to Britain.
In this account of history, Bruce Lockhart (British Consul General in Moscow (1915-1917) - Head of the Unofficial British Mission in Moscow (1917-1918)) is dismissed as a hard drinking Scotsman. In my reading of this, the author sees fit to allude to the fact that Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart was in some way involved in the plot to kill Lenin: from all that I've previously read, the accusation was politically motivated, and Lockhart was used by the Bolsheviks as a pawn in exchange for a London based Russian diplomat arrested for engaging in propaganda activities. Lockhart was tried and found guilty in absentia. I’ve read much from these times, including Lockhart’s memoirs and I’d suggest most saw Lockhart as a brave, resourceful, 'accidental intelligence agent' who did his very best in the most trying of circumstances.
Sidney Reilly is here accused of being a womaniser and philanderer: that to some extent may well be true, but in my understanding it is far from 'nothing but the truth'. He was an incredibly brave individual and able to use his intellect to find favour with many connected adversaries. He used woman as part of his many covers thus socialising grandly, which allowed him to be so readily accepted; and, from my readings, he provided the British with a great deal of reliable information.
I note, with some surprise, there is no mention of the momentous work [information couriered back to Britain] done by Paul Dukes and Captain George Hill: two agents (intelligence officers) personally dispatched by Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming.
From my readings, neither Sir Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart, Sir Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill cast Sidney Reilly as simply a womaniser and philanderer; and neither Sir Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill looked upon Robert Hamilton Bruce Lockhart as a little more than a drunkard. In his account of matters, Captain George Hill (a man who lived by his wits and achieved incredibly) saw Sidney Reilly as a fearless, determined individual who could be relied upon in a tight corner.
During and after the 'first chaotic months of Bolshevik rule' both Paul Dukes or Captain George Alexander Hill ran extensive networks with informants providing masses of up to date information that was used by London to create large quantities of useful intelligence. Codes, invisible inks, disguises, forged identities, all manner of tradecraft was employed. Paul Dukes became the Cheka's 'Most Wanted Man' He was known as the 'Man of a Hundred Faces': he was at one time carrying with him Cheka identification papers and frequently passed himself off as a Cheka officer. Both of these men were British agents, in the field, handling informants, managing and keeping intact networks: they ran circles around the Cheka. The Cheka, it is said by those who faced them day-in and day-out, during the Cheka’s early days, were little more than illiterate thugs: easily duped and open to all manner of bribery.
Upon his return to Britain, Paul Dukes. was cited as a distinguished hero. In 1920, he was knighted by King George V, who called Paul Dukes 'the greatest of all soldiers' Sir Paul Dukes remains the only person to be knighted based upon his espionage activities alone; and to this day remains a standard-bearer of great acclaim within the house at Vauxhall Cross.
The author assures us this book is based upon five-years of exhaustive research; I wonder if in those five-years the author was looking for a novel line of approach to what are already well documented events. It's said, by many a good barrister, that you should only ever put before the Court the evidence that supports your argument.
September 10, 2023
I can't imagine any more comprehensive a book being written about this subject. Endless anecdotes about individual spies and policy-makers, tons of interesting information, enough theory and explanation to hold it all together nicely. Highly recommended.
June 17, 2023
Calder Walton has written a gripping, full of suspense book about the 100+ Cold War between the East and the West. This book includes all the intelligence operations that were part of the Cold War, in what has been called "the miising dimension" of the history of the conflict. That was so,since historians did not take seriously the espionage and intelligence role these played in the global conflict. There were many reasons for it, but the main ones were because most archives which had millions of classified documents were closed to researchers,thus most courageous historians had to rely on interviewing ex-spies and their masters ,or they were lucky enough to get documents from various sources which were in a way open to them.
But not so anymore. The change happened immediately after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the demise of the Eastern bloc, the result being a deluge of archival materials in the so many coutries which took part in this Great Game- to borrow an expression used in the 19th century.
As professor Walton puts it succintly: the West has a Russia problem, not a Putin one.
Espionage and many secret operations were and are still the means used by Russia to equalize the imbalance of resources between the East vand the West.
Recruiting agents,disinformation, double and triple spies,assassiantions, treachery, bravery are all here.
The book comes in six big parts and, in my view, one of its best ones concerns the role Oleg Penkovky, the famous Russian and flamboyant spy, played in this game, supplying the USA with more than 10000 documents and Russian missile manuals, thus convincing Kennedy and the Ex-Comm that Russia did NOT have the capabilities to defeat the USA during those fateful days of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October, 1962.It took 20 CIA officers and 10 MI6 officers to translate the documents Penkovsky stole.In other words, it was Penkovsky-according to one CIA report-who saved the world during the crisis, although this claim is somehow grandiose.The intelligence work during those fateful 13 days of the crisis were just one example of how human espionage and technical intelligence "can be combined and used by a statesman to defuse a standoo between two nuclear superpowers". Penkovsky proved that the so-called "missle gap" between Russia and the US was a figment of imagination, an illusion.Khrushchev was bluffing.
Since this book is a global history, the reader will find chapters about the way the Cold War was played out in Asia,Africa, Canada and other parts-the Middle East excluded.
It also has various new and original chapters about the role SIGINT was involved in various instances.
Those who think that the war betwen the two adversaries was over by the end of 1989 and on, are mistaken. On the contrary, Russia intensified its espionage efforts against the West, only this time a new player joined the fray:China.
And,indeed, chapter 17 is called :"Putin's War on the West".Putin has turned Russia into a Mafia state with the help of many of his oligarchs.In spite of its efforts, many illegals who were sent to the USA,were discovered, one of them being Anna Chapman. Other spy networks were caught as well. Putin put the blame on traitors and promised that those traitors "who got the thirty silver pieces will choke on them".
Professor Walton does not hide his criticism about the West.With all its shortcomings, he would still live in the West than in Russia or China. He ends this book by coming to certain conclusions.1-the best defense is good itelligence. 2-intelligence will increase due to open source information.3- Western governments must use covert action carefully, since they cannot replace foreign policy.4one should be extremely careful to distinguish between fake information, so rampant these days, and true information.5-the USA goverment must be as transparent as possible about the known nature and scope of Chinese espionage and other illicit activities.
The American century is now over and in total decline, especially after the presidency of Donald Trump,who has encouraged white supremacists and conspiracy theories.Hostile foreign governments like Russia saw the paranoid strain in US politics and exploited it.
The author has mined many hitherto vlosed archives, including a garage in Toronto and some of them in the prairies of Kansas, as well as archives in Singapore, and has a special webside where the reader will find some more info.
This brilliant, excellent and extremely rich of new information volume on the clandestine operations will definitely become a classic and will be unsurpassed for very many years. Bravo, Professor Walton!
But not so anymore. The change happened immediately after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the demise of the Eastern bloc, the result being a deluge of archival materials in the so many coutries which took part in this Great Game- to borrow an expression used in the 19th century.
As professor Walton puts it succintly: the West has a Russia problem, not a Putin one.
Espionage and many secret operations were and are still the means used by Russia to equalize the imbalance of resources between the East vand the West.
Recruiting agents,disinformation, double and triple spies,assassiantions, treachery, bravery are all here.
The book comes in six big parts and, in my view, one of its best ones concerns the role Oleg Penkovky, the famous Russian and flamboyant spy, played in this game, supplying the USA with more than 10000 documents and Russian missile manuals, thus convincing Kennedy and the Ex-Comm that Russia did NOT have the capabilities to defeat the USA during those fateful days of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October, 1962.It took 20 CIA officers and 10 MI6 officers to translate the documents Penkovsky stole.In other words, it was Penkovsky-according to one CIA report-who saved the world during the crisis, although this claim is somehow grandiose.The intelligence work during those fateful 13 days of the crisis were just one example of how human espionage and technical intelligence "can be combined and used by a statesman to defuse a standoo between two nuclear superpowers". Penkovsky proved that the so-called "missle gap" between Russia and the US was a figment of imagination, an illusion.Khrushchev was bluffing.
Since this book is a global history, the reader will find chapters about the way the Cold War was played out in Asia,Africa, Canada and other parts-the Middle East excluded.
It also has various new and original chapters about the role SIGINT was involved in various instances.
Those who think that the war betwen the two adversaries was over by the end of 1989 and on, are mistaken. On the contrary, Russia intensified its espionage efforts against the West, only this time a new player joined the fray:China.
And,indeed, chapter 17 is called :"Putin's War on the West".Putin has turned Russia into a Mafia state with the help of many of his oligarchs.In spite of its efforts, many illegals who were sent to the USA,were discovered, one of them being Anna Chapman. Other spy networks were caught as well. Putin put the blame on traitors and promised that those traitors "who got the thirty silver pieces will choke on them".
Professor Walton does not hide his criticism about the West.With all its shortcomings, he would still live in the West than in Russia or China. He ends this book by coming to certain conclusions.1-the best defense is good itelligence. 2-intelligence will increase due to open source information.3- Western governments must use covert action carefully, since they cannot replace foreign policy.4one should be extremely careful to distinguish between fake information, so rampant these days, and true information.5-the USA goverment must be as transparent as possible about the known nature and scope of Chinese espionage and other illicit activities.
The American century is now over and in total decline, especially after the presidency of Donald Trump,who has encouraged white supremacists and conspiracy theories.Hostile foreign governments like Russia saw the paranoid strain in US politics and exploited it.
The author has mined many hitherto vlosed archives, including a garage in Toronto and some of them in the prairies of Kansas, as well as archives in Singapore, and has a special webside where the reader will find some more info.
This brilliant, excellent and extremely rich of new information volume on the clandestine operations will definitely become a classic and will be unsurpassed for very many years. Bravo, Professor Walton!
June 28, 2025
If espionage is a game of shadows, Calder Walton has turned on the floodlights. "Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West" is not just another Cold War history. It is a sweeping narrative that spans a century of covert operations, false alliances, ideological battles, and the bruised egos of superpowers. Walton, a Harvard historian and one of the world's foremost experts on national security and intelligence, manages the difficult task of making a dense subject utterly readable, occasionally chilling, and frequently astonishing. It was published in 2023.
At over 600 pages, the book is ambitious - but Walton's storytelling chops carry the reader through. He begins in the ashes of the Russian Revolution and ends with the gathering storm of U.S.-China tensions, drawing a straight, jagged line through decades of intelligence failures, ideological fervor, and silent wars fought with spies instead of tanks.
One of the book's central takeaways is that Stalin's USSR wasn't a superpower because of its strength, but because of its weakness. Unable to compete with the West economically or militarily, Soviet leaders weaponized espionage to level the playing field. But this strategy often backfired. Walton is unsparing about Stalin's refusal to listen to his own intelligence services before Hitler's invasion in 1941, a catastrophic error that led to the deaths of more Soviet citizens than all other WWII casualties combined. Some would tell you it was sacrifice. No, it wasn't. It was self-inflicted trauma, born of paranoia and a culture that punished truth-telling.
As Walton puts it:
"Stalin effectively institutionalized intelligence failure. NKVD officers feared death when providing any intelligence that contradicted his thinking."
The book is peppered with quirky and sometimes unsettling details. Nikita Khrushchev, for example, could read but not write. Soviet spies often defected to the West, only to be disappointed by the very system they thought they were embracing. While the U.S. and Britain imprisoned most captured spies - some for as little as five years - the Soviet Union executed thousands, including the families and friends of suspected traitors. Only one person was executed for espionage in the U.S. over the entire Cold War. The asymmetry is stark.
The infamous Cambridge Five spy ring gets considerable attention. That a handful of upper-crust British idealists managed to steal high-level secrets for Moscow, right under the noses of MI5 and MI6, still boggles the mind. Kim Philby's double life, including his stint embedded within American intelligence, reads like fiction except it's all true.
On the American side, the CIA often appears more Keystone Cops than James Bond. The farcical attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro, often mythologized as Castro's brilliance in outsmarting them, are here reinterpreted as clear signs of CIA incompetence. Walton makes it plain: when intelligence fails, it's not always because of enemy brilliance. Sometimes, it's simply the result of bureaucratic bungling, political interference, or willful ignorance. And the CIA has plenty of that in its history.
A particularly sobering chapter is Chapter 12, which touches on the East/West's covert meddling in Africa, including in Kwame Nkrumah's Ghana. For African readers, it's a moment of reckoning. Nkrumah, like Lumumba (in Stuart A. Reid's "The Lumumba Plot") and Sankara (in Brian J. Peterson's "Thomas Sankara"), deserves a modern, deeply researched biography. Walton's brief but powerful account reminds us how the Cold War wreaked havoc on the Third World, not from hatred, but from paranoia. In the global tug-of-war between the U.S. and USSR, countries like Chile, DR Congo, and Afghanistan became expendable pawns.
"…the two superpowers and their allies used newly independent states in Africa as proxy battlefields in the Cold War… leaving a trail of destruction in their wake."
It was not about loving or hating these nations. It was about denying the other side a foothold. And they both did it incompetently and to devastating effect.
Walton's assessment of Putin is as scathing as it is accurate...
Read full review on Medium - https://tosinadeoti.medium.com/book-r...
At over 600 pages, the book is ambitious - but Walton's storytelling chops carry the reader through. He begins in the ashes of the Russian Revolution and ends with the gathering storm of U.S.-China tensions, drawing a straight, jagged line through decades of intelligence failures, ideological fervor, and silent wars fought with spies instead of tanks.
One of the book's central takeaways is that Stalin's USSR wasn't a superpower because of its strength, but because of its weakness. Unable to compete with the West economically or militarily, Soviet leaders weaponized espionage to level the playing field. But this strategy often backfired. Walton is unsparing about Stalin's refusal to listen to his own intelligence services before Hitler's invasion in 1941, a catastrophic error that led to the deaths of more Soviet citizens than all other WWII casualties combined. Some would tell you it was sacrifice. No, it wasn't. It was self-inflicted trauma, born of paranoia and a culture that punished truth-telling.
As Walton puts it:
"Stalin effectively institutionalized intelligence failure. NKVD officers feared death when providing any intelligence that contradicted his thinking."
The book is peppered with quirky and sometimes unsettling details. Nikita Khrushchev, for example, could read but not write. Soviet spies often defected to the West, only to be disappointed by the very system they thought they were embracing. While the U.S. and Britain imprisoned most captured spies - some for as little as five years - the Soviet Union executed thousands, including the families and friends of suspected traitors. Only one person was executed for espionage in the U.S. over the entire Cold War. The asymmetry is stark.
The infamous Cambridge Five spy ring gets considerable attention. That a handful of upper-crust British idealists managed to steal high-level secrets for Moscow, right under the noses of MI5 and MI6, still boggles the mind. Kim Philby's double life, including his stint embedded within American intelligence, reads like fiction except it's all true.
On the American side, the CIA often appears more Keystone Cops than James Bond. The farcical attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro, often mythologized as Castro's brilliance in outsmarting them, are here reinterpreted as clear signs of CIA incompetence. Walton makes it plain: when intelligence fails, it's not always because of enemy brilliance. Sometimes, it's simply the result of bureaucratic bungling, political interference, or willful ignorance. And the CIA has plenty of that in its history.
A particularly sobering chapter is Chapter 12, which touches on the East/West's covert meddling in Africa, including in Kwame Nkrumah's Ghana. For African readers, it's a moment of reckoning. Nkrumah, like Lumumba (in Stuart A. Reid's "The Lumumba Plot") and Sankara (in Brian J. Peterson's "Thomas Sankara"), deserves a modern, deeply researched biography. Walton's brief but powerful account reminds us how the Cold War wreaked havoc on the Third World, not from hatred, but from paranoia. In the global tug-of-war between the U.S. and USSR, countries like Chile, DR Congo, and Afghanistan became expendable pawns.
"…the two superpowers and their allies used newly independent states in Africa as proxy battlefields in the Cold War… leaving a trail of destruction in their wake."
It was not about loving or hating these nations. It was about denying the other side a foothold. And they both did it incompetently and to devastating effect.
Walton's assessment of Putin is as scathing as it is accurate...
Read full review on Medium - https://tosinadeoti.medium.com/book-r...
May 5, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of this history detailing the 100 years or espionage between Russia and the West, and how lesson learned can be turned to the West's new competitor in domination, China.
People have been spying on each other since people lived in caves, or for others the Garden of Eden. Hmm that cave has meat, lets follow them and see where they hunt. What is that that lights up their cave and heats their food, let's steal some. Gossip is another form of espionage or disinformation. Most of these health reports that are relayed on world leaders are mostly, well friends say he/she seems tired, or not sleeping well, or pale. Yes there are reports about certain intelligence agencies testing the waste water from residences and finding out the health of leaders, but mostly it is gossip, tall tales with alcohol chasers. Countries spy on each other for many reasons, to stay ahead, to catch up, to steal technology, or steal a trade deal. Some countries are very good, some start as amateurs, find they have a gift for it, but allow hubris to get in the way. Whatever the source tales of espionage and the search for information is always interesting. Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West by Calder Walton a historian at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard has written a one-volume history that looks at the intelligence war between Russia and the West, and what might be coming with China in the future.
The book begins with a look at Russia planning for its future and seeing a lot of countries as future enemies. An invasion from Britain with American support in the early days following the Revolution did not help. Even paranoid people have enemies, which made the paranoia of Stalin to come a problem. Russia was involved in a Cold War well before the rest of the world even thought about it. Thought late to the game, the United States was remarkably quick in catching up. The book is broken down into chapters dealing with different subjects. Coups, expansion of territories, the growth of American intelligence, signal intelligence, space, traitors and the fall of Russia. There are plenty of stories and lots of facts which really makes for riveting reading.
The book is very well written, and though it is only one-volume, pretty complete. Walton does talk that a real history would be a multi-volume set, and has a web site, that people can visit for not only more information about the book, but also some of the areas and incidents that Walton could not cover. What Walton does write about is quite a lot, and is never dull. This is a real gift, as Walton doesn't lecture, more shares with stories, examples and facts, that keep the reader flipping pages and wanting to know what happens, as if a novel not history. Each page is filled with interesting facts and information, and is never dull. I never realized the importance of signal intelligence and how much true information can be gained by that. Plus Walton's descriptions of what the Russians and Chinese steal from our industries, was surprising. I do love how it is accepted that Russia stole the 2016 election, and yet there does not seem to be any outrage, or complaint.
A very well-written book on spying that takes a lot of the mystique and mystery and peels it away. Coups, assassinations, overturning elections, makes not only a great thriller, but very exciting history. Highly recommended for history fans, espionage fans and thriller readers. Also this would be a great reference for writers, for ideas, story locations, and ways to drop facts either in spy stories, or historical fiction. And of course for Father's Day.
People have been spying on each other since people lived in caves, or for others the Garden of Eden. Hmm that cave has meat, lets follow them and see where they hunt. What is that that lights up their cave and heats their food, let's steal some. Gossip is another form of espionage or disinformation. Most of these health reports that are relayed on world leaders are mostly, well friends say he/she seems tired, or not sleeping well, or pale. Yes there are reports about certain intelligence agencies testing the waste water from residences and finding out the health of leaders, but mostly it is gossip, tall tales with alcohol chasers. Countries spy on each other for many reasons, to stay ahead, to catch up, to steal technology, or steal a trade deal. Some countries are very good, some start as amateurs, find they have a gift for it, but allow hubris to get in the way. Whatever the source tales of espionage and the search for information is always interesting. Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West by Calder Walton a historian at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard has written a one-volume history that looks at the intelligence war between Russia and the West, and what might be coming with China in the future.
The book begins with a look at Russia planning for its future and seeing a lot of countries as future enemies. An invasion from Britain with American support in the early days following the Revolution did not help. Even paranoid people have enemies, which made the paranoia of Stalin to come a problem. Russia was involved in a Cold War well before the rest of the world even thought about it. Thought late to the game, the United States was remarkably quick in catching up. The book is broken down into chapters dealing with different subjects. Coups, expansion of territories, the growth of American intelligence, signal intelligence, space, traitors and the fall of Russia. There are plenty of stories and lots of facts which really makes for riveting reading.
The book is very well written, and though it is only one-volume, pretty complete. Walton does talk that a real history would be a multi-volume set, and has a web site, that people can visit for not only more information about the book, but also some of the areas and incidents that Walton could not cover. What Walton does write about is quite a lot, and is never dull. This is a real gift, as Walton doesn't lecture, more shares with stories, examples and facts, that keep the reader flipping pages and wanting to know what happens, as if a novel not history. Each page is filled with interesting facts and information, and is never dull. I never realized the importance of signal intelligence and how much true information can be gained by that. Plus Walton's descriptions of what the Russians and Chinese steal from our industries, was surprising. I do love how it is accepted that Russia stole the 2016 election, and yet there does not seem to be any outrage, or complaint.
A very well-written book on spying that takes a lot of the mystique and mystery and peels it away. Coups, assassinations, overturning elections, makes not only a great thriller, but very exciting history. Highly recommended for history fans, espionage fans and thriller readers. Also this would be a great reference for writers, for ideas, story locations, and ways to drop facts either in spy stories, or historical fiction. And of course for Father's Day.
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