Ready to learn the most important takeaways from The Spy and the Traitor in less than two minutes? Keep reading!
Why This Book Matters:
The Spy and the Traitor discusses the story of Oleg Gordievsky, a Soviet double agent who helped end the Cold War through his historic efforts.
The Big Takeaways:
- Oleg almost joined the KGC but never had an interest in communism.
- If Oleg’s early life influences allowed him to be exposed to western culture and media.
- In 1970, Britain asked Gordievsky to become a double agent and spy on Russia.
- The first meeting went well, but it was not until eight months later that Gordievsky began spying.
- He planned his own route back to London in case of an emergency even though the M16 already had a plan in place to evacuate him if necessary.
- He took his family with him to London after going through the KGB files at their head office.
- Gordievsky was critical in the Cold War because he delivered the psychology about Soviet leaders to M16.
- He assisted with ending the cold war by showing the United States and the Soviet Union a way they can communicate with each other.
- Gordievsky eventually escaped the Soviet Union due to his cover being blown and had to leave his family.
- He escaped the Soviet Union through M16’s plan undetected by the KGB.
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