The Billion Dollar Spy: A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal in Espionage Aficionados

Dec 31, 2022 Marje rated it really liked it

A stunning read.

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Nov 20, 2015 Robert Morris rated it it was amazing

David E. Hoffman has compiled a superb investigative work on the history of the espionage career of Adolf Tolkachev, who was one of the most important clandestine assets in the history of the CIA. The book is entirely factual, written with the cooperation of the CIA's Directorate of Operations, and includes the important roles played by numerous of Tolkachev's CIA case officers, of which I was privileged to be one. Adolf Tolkachev was a genuine hero, whose contributions to US efforts to combat t ...more

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Apr 29, 2021 Hans Ostrom rated it it was amazing

Ultimately a poignant, tragic story of a Russian engineer who spies for the CIA, providing an almost incredible trove of technical information. Although at first he seems motivated by money, it becomes clear that he's driven by the haunting effects of Stalin's terror on his and his wife's family. Toward the end of his run, he "demands" that the CIA give him about a dozen LP rock albums for his teenage son. Other spies and the inner workings of the COW's Moscow station full out the book, which is ...more

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Apr 15, 2020 Doug Maffett rated it really liked it

Good book. Lots of detail about the process of running the spy, and factual info on the spy. The book was not exciting, as i had hoped. Great informational book, but not a riveting tail of espionage.

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Nov 03, 2015 Thomas rated it really liked it

Fascinating and tragic account of a Soviet spy during the Cold War. Interesting insight into the USSR military science capabilities and American espionage activities inside Moscow itself. Great subject, but sometimes plodding writing.

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