Mark D.

Puts you in the shoes of an American spy in Moscow

Revisado: 09-24-24

Martha Peterson’s story is essential reading in the history of the Cold War, shedding light on a topic that has long been taboo for security reasons, making it more compelling than spy fiction. It is particularly important because it chronicles the rise of one of the earliest women at CIA, who was more than a secretary. Peterson was closely connected to one of the most significant Soviet assets, the Russian diplomat Aleksandr Ogorodnik, who paid for his clandestine betrayal of the USSR with his life. Ironically, Ogorodnik was originally recruited in Bogotá by the most notorious American CIA traitor Aldrich Aimes, through which he received his cryptonym TRIGON. Peterson’s recollections of KGB interactions in Moscow are rich in some details, but lacking others, leaving one wanting to know more. That is the nature of spy biographies and I cannot deduct for it. I appreciated the author’s humanization of the work of intelligence collection, as well as her bravery. Contrary to what some reviewers have stated, I thought the narration was quite good, though the pronunciation of some Moscow street names, etc were Americanized (judge for yourself by sampling it). I would recommend this book especially for young women considering how to serve the cause of democracy as the Free World faces a new era of growing authoritarianism.

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Essential for Understanding Putin's Worldview!

Revisado: 02-27-22

As an old Cold War era student of Soviet Studies, I have waited for 40 years hoping to see real freedom and democracy finally come to Russia. But as I write this, Putin has invaded a democratic and free Ukraine in order to expand his authoritarian gangster rule over those who had pried themselves free. Although this book was written several years ago, nothing has changed in Russia. Kasparov offers both an essential history of the Putin era, but also a warning to the West, interpreted through the brilliant mind and democratic aspirations of one of the best dissidents the Soviet Union ever gifted the free world. Listen to it and learn what every American needs to know about Putin's chess game for turning the world order upside-down—and destroying the freedom and democracy that we must soberly defend—or lose to a determined foe.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Devastating. Must listen.

Revisado: 07-24-20

Devastating, but brutally honest truth-telling that all Americans (Especially Republicans) need to hear. This audiobook is well narrated, but will make you cry. Benen pulls back the curtain on the Trump-GOP’s destruction of America under their “leadership.” If you could only read one book in order to make sense of what has happened, this one would be the one that helps you get it quickly and without rancor.

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Excellently Written, Yet Over-Dramatic Narration

Revisado: 07-22-20

This deep dive into China's mid-1800s Taiping Rebellion is very instructive for our current times. Platt takes us on a well-researched deep dive into how a confused charismatic leader crafted his own pseudo-Christian cult and rallied ignorant but patriotic Chinese into a right-wing anti-foreign nationalistic uprising that left at least 10 million dead. The book is scholarly and very well written, yet the female narrator uses an over-dramatic and enthusiastic tone (sample it yourself) that seemed more appropriate for children's stories (or North Korean propaganda?) which was more distracting than helpful. For this reason I take off what could have been a 5 star audiobook.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

File won’t download

Revisado: 09-16-19

The audio file fails to download and produces only error messages. Unfortunately I cannot listen to it. I do believe it ought to be good if they can fix the file corruption problem.

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