The Billion Dollar Spy

A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal

David E Hoffman author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Icon Books

Published:7th Jun '18

Should be back in stock very soon

The Billion Dollar Spy cover

This captivating account reveals the true story of Adolf Tolkachev, a pivotal figure in Cold War espionage, as depicted in The Billion Dollar Spy.

In The Billion Dollar Spy, readers are taken on a gripping journey through the intricate world of espionage during the Cold War. The narrative unfolds with the intriguing introduction of Adolf Tolkachev, a Soviet engineer who becomes an invaluable asset to the CIA. His story begins in January 1977, when a chance encounter leads him to drop a note into the car of the CIA's Moscow station chief, setting off a chain of events that would change the course of intelligence gathering. Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, the author paints a vivid picture of the risks and strategies involved in espionage.

As Tolkachev navigates the treacherous landscape of Moscow, he conducts clandestine meetings, employing spy cameras and coded language to outsmart the KGB. The tension escalates as the stakes grow higher, revealing the delicate balance between courage and betrayal. The narrative is enriched by previously classified CIA documents, lending authenticity and depth to this extraordinary tale of loyalty and sacrifice.

The Billion Dollar Spy not only chronicles the thrilling escapades of a spy but also reflects on the broader implications of espionage and the moral complexities faced by those involved. This riveting account serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the secretive world of intelligence operations.

It is the human factor that elevates The Billion Dollar Spy to a different level: non-fiction as rich and resonant as a spy novel by John Le Carré or Graham Greene. * Mail on Sunday *

The Pulitzer prizewinning American journalist David E Hoffman has had access to CIA files and the result is an astonishingly detailed picture of espionage in the 1980s, written with pacey journalistic verve and an eerily contemporary feel ... Essential reading for anyone who wants to know how the spy mind works.

-- Ben Macintyre * The Times *

A fabulous read that also provides chilling insights into the Cold War spy game between Washington and Moscow that has erupted anew under Vladimir Putin.

* Michael Dobbs, author of One Minute to Midnight: Kennedy, Khrushchev, and Castro on the Brink of Nuclear War *

A gripping story of courage, professionalism, and betrayal in the secret world.

* Rodric Braithwaite, British Ambassador in Moscow, 1988-1992 *

ISBN: 9781785783524

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 30mm

Weight: 380g

416 pages