The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre

Set in the dangerous days of the Cold War, the biography of Oleg Gordievsky – “The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War” by Ben Macintyre – provides a gripping, detailed account of one of the most remarkable and successful spies in modern espionage history.

The book outlines the hazardous and wide-reaching scope of Gordievsky's mission and how he managed to remain undetected for many years - even when surrounded by an increasingly dire and unpredictable Cold War environment.

Born to a typical Soviet family and fond of the traditional Russian spy genre, from a young age, Gordievsky had wanted to join the KGB. This he achieved and rapidly succeeded in, being posted to the KGB station in Copenhagen soon after. Gordievsky excelled in his post, providing useful information to the Soviet Union but began to slowly question the ideals which he had been systematically taught and was also beginning to see the declining state of the Soviet Union.

It wasn't until Gordievsky was transferred to London that his espionage activities began to persist. Gordievsky had become the chief controller of the KGB's networks in the U.K and had access to the scandalous material that the Soviets desperately wanted. It was around this time that Gordievsky reached out to MI6 and began delivering top-secret information to them. His insights and information proved to be invaluable to MI6 and the Western Allies, and for many years he remained undetected by the KGB.

Gordievsky's bravery and dedication to his mission were only enhanced by the complex double-crossing that he had to manage, with both MI6 and the KGB spread throughout the U.K. Gordievsky had to remain extremely careful during the numerous occasions that he was whisked away by the MI6 to secret locations, as he could not risk the KGB discovering what he had been up to.

The book chronicles the extensive and ever growing list of secrets that Gordievsky was able to keep hidden and the risks he had to endure to achieve his mission. It details his strategies, plans and tactics as he navigated complex and often deadly situations. Macintyre is unflinching in his recounting of the Cold War, offering a frightening yet thrilling insight into the strength of Gordievsky as he faced numerous dangers and at times, seemingly insurmountable odds.

Through grit, determination and unbounded courage, Gordievsky proved invaluable to MI6 and the Western Allies, providing them with the assistance and insight that eventually led to the slow withdrawal of Soviet forces from Europe. He was the undercover source of a wealth of valuable intelligence and represents the kind of espionage hero that only the Cold War could have produced.

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre provides an exciting, detailed and thrilling account of Oleg Gordievsky's mission – one of the most successful spies in modern espionage history. Through Macintyre’s intense storytelling, readers are allowed a unique insight into the tumultuous days of the Cold War and what it took to achieve the successful mission of one of the most remarkable spies of our time.