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Comrade J: The Untold Secrets of Russia's Master Spy in America After the End of the Cold War Audiobook
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(3.11) - 200 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Spymaster, defector, double agent—the remarkable true story of the man who ran Russia's post–cold war spy program in America.
In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, the cold war ended, and a new world order began. We thought everything had changed. But one thing never changed: the spies.
From 1995 to 2000, a man known as "Comrade J" was the highest-ranking operative in the SVR—the successor agency to the KGB—in the United States. He directed all Russian spy action in New York City and personally oversaw every covert operation against the United States and its allies in the United Nations. He recruited spies, planted agents, penetrated security, manipulated intelligence, and influenced American policy, all under the direct leadership of Boris Yeltsin and then Vladimir Putin. He was a legend in the SVR, the man who kept the secrets.
Then, in 2000, he defected—and it turned out he had one more secret. For the previous two years, he had also been a double agent for the FBI: "By far the most important Russian spy that our side has had in decades." He has never granted a public interview. The FBI and CIA have refused to answer all media questions about him. He has remained in hiding. He has never revealed his secrets.
Until now.
Comrade J, written by the bestselling author of Family of Spies and The Hot House, is his story, a direct account of what he did in the United States after we all assumed the spying was over and of what Putin and Russia continue to do today. The revelations are stunning. It is also the story of growing up in a family of agents dating back to the revolution; of how Russia molded him into one of its most high-flying operatives; of the day-to-day perils of living a double, then triple, life; and finally, of how his growing disquiet with the corruption and ambitions of the "new Russia" led him to take the most perilous step of all.
Many spies have told their stories. None has the astonishing immediacy, relevance, and cautionary warnings of Comrade J.
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"I'm about a chapter away from finishing this book. It really was an interesting read and gave me a lot to think about. We know someone who is retired FBI who told us his job was to observe the Russian embassy in New York and determine who was KGB and who was "clean." He said it was pretty easy because of the patterns they had. After listening to his stories, this book was fascinating to read. Sadly, I gained a greater mistrust for the Russian government and was sad to read about corruption and greed that I never knew was so rampant during the fall of communism and after."
— Christina (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Prichard's voice provides the ideal narration.... [It] never tires and never changes. Both his oldest and newest fans will enjoy this dark journey into Soviet espionage.
— AudioFile -
“Splendid…a five-cloak read.”
— Washington Times -
“Delivers the spy-versus-spy frisson that espionage readers expect.”
— Booklist -
“A fascinating account of Tretyakov’s activities.”
— Library Journal -
“Prichard’s voice provides the ideal narration…[It] never tires and never changes. Both his oldest and newest fans will enjoy this dark journey into Soviet espionage.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Comrade J Listener Reviews
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" Run, don't walk, to your library and grab this book. An amazing story presenting clear insight into the world of espionage from a Russian who headed up operations in the US. And, his behind the scenes look at what really goes on at the United nations. "
— Opa, 2/12/2014 -
" A great look from the inside the KGB replacement (the SVR) of the workings and goals of Russia. It shows the excellence of intelligence operatives as well as the sometimes incompetence. "
— Nathan, 2/4/2014 -
" Interesting read. It's written by a journalist- I liked his style. It's a little hard to believe- it seems easier to take in as fiction- spys- moffia- etc. Eye opening! "
— Jacki, 1/26/2014 -
" A good book that delves into how KGB/SVR spies train and operate. More importantly it spells out that Russia treats the US the same way the USSR did. This former KGB/SVR spy states that Russia is doing all it can to undermine and embarrass the US. He gives numerous examples. Anyone who thinks the Russians are our buddies should really read this book. Anyone who knows they are not will have that opinion reinforced by Earley's narrative. "
— Remo, 1/24/2014 -
" ex soviet bloc generals stashing black market nuclear weapons in a shed in the backyard? surprised yes. shocked...not really. "
— Brian, 1/15/2014 -
" The real James Bond 007. Quite the read. "
— Mesha, 1/13/2014 -
" Top Russian spy defects to the west and spills his guts along the way. No wonder the dude is still in hiding in the US. Interesting read. Eye opening! "
— Brian, 1/7/2014 -
" Pretty fascinating account of life as a KGB agent, and in the post-USSR spy agencies as well. Doubtful how true all of it is, but if only half is true, it's pretty amazing. "
— Emily, 12/30/2013 -
" For those who believe the russians are our "allies", this book makes clear that very little has changed insofar as the russian governmental attitude towards the US is concerned. VERY informative and entertaining spy story, all the more so because it is true! "
— Thomas, 12/25/2013 -
" Somewhat tedious in parts. But a real eye opener on post glasnost russia. Lots of interesting Canadian content. "
— Stephen, 12/19/2013 -
" After having read this book, the recent invasion of Georgia should be a surprise to no one and reinforce the need for increased vigilance. In fact, there may now be some very real questions raised about the utility of NATO at all. "
— Joe, 11/17/2013 -
" Fairly interesting but since everything that led to his defection is classified all the intrigue is absent from the book. "
— Ray, 11/3/2013 -
" This is a fascinating inside look into the life of a Russian Spy. Sergei was one of the best that the KGB ever had, and this is the story of how a bleeding patriot of the Soviet Union and later Russia, could choose to defect to his country's primary adversary--the United States. "
— Walter, 8/7/2013 -
" I believe his story. How disallusioning that the 'worker's paradise' treated its loyal citizens in such a shabby manner. It is not really a surprise that the KGB continued business as usual after the demise of the USSR. "
— Florence, 6/18/2013 -
" My favorite book by an ex KGB officer. Very good. "
— Kevin, 3/16/2013 -
" Great history of the KGB and the fall of the USSR "
— Sue, 3/7/2013 -
" Good short story of a real life spy. I always enjoy the real spy stories and while this book is not as detailed into the actual spying tactics / techniques it's an interesting story. "
— Sheldon, 1/2/2012 -
" Decent, though not great account of post-Soviet espionage in the western world the defection of a high-ranking Russian intelligence officer. "
— Jim, 9/3/2011 -
" The more we think things change, the more they stay the same......for better or worse. An interesting look at the way the spy game is played today. "
— Jill, 8/19/2011 -
" A very interesting book. I liked learning about his experiences during the different 'regimes' of Russia/USSR. Just because a country is our "ally" doesn't mean they don't spy on us. Especially if we have not so much warm fuzzies toward each other. An inside scoop of the KJB. "
— Lauren, 4/27/2011 -
" Interesting observations of the "spy trade." A look into a world the average person never sees. "
— Jrv547, 1/18/2011 -
" Somewhat tedious in parts. But a real eye opener on post glasnost russia. Lots of interesting Canadian content. "
— Stephen, 10/2/2010 -
" Great history of the KGB and the fall of the USSR "
— Sue, 7/1/2010 -
" Interesting read. It's written by a journalist- I liked his style. It's a little hard to believe- it seems easier to take in as fiction- spys- moffia- etc. Eye opening! "
— Jacki, 7/22/2009 -
" Interesting observations of the "spy trade." A look into a world the average person never sees. "
— Jrv547, 4/14/2009 -
" I believe his story. How disallusioning that the 'worker's paradise' treated its loyal citizens in such a shabby manner. It is not really a surprise that the KGB continued business as usual after the demise of the USSR. "
— Florence, 10/26/2008 -
" For those who believe the russians are our "allies", this book makes clear that very little has changed insofar as the russian governmental attitude towards the US is concerned. VERY informative and entertaining spy story, all the more so because it is true! "
— Thomas, 7/23/2008
About Pete Earley
Pete Earley, a former reporter for the Washington Post, is the author of several works of nonfiction, including the bestsellers The Hot House and Family of Spies, and the multi-award-winning Circumstantial Evidence. According to Washingtonian magazine, he is one of ten journalist/authors in America “who have the power to introduce new ideas and give them currency.” Earley is also the author of three New York Times bestsellers and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
About Michael Prichard
Michael Prichard is a Los Angeles-based actor who has played several thousand characters during his career, over one hundred of them in theater and film. He is primarily heard as an audiobook narrator, having recorded well over five hundred full-length books. His numerous awards and accolades include an Audie Award for Tears in the Darkness by Michael Norman and Elizabeth M. Norman and six AudioFile Earphones Awards. He was named a Top Ten Golden Voice by SmartMoney magazine. He holds an MFA in theater from the University of Southern California.