A “devilishly fun” (New York Times Book Review) account of a deadly serious business: the undercover spies and the tactics they developed to survive the Cold War in Moscow, from legendary former-CIA operatives.
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"A gripping read. Thanks to Tony Mendez's extraordinary talent, the CIA was able to elude KGB surveillance to carry out high-risk, high-payoff operations with impunity-until tripped up by traitors within our own ranks. It's all in this book-the good, the bad, and the ugly, unflinchingly revealed. Tony and his wife and coauthor, Jonna, were two of the stars from the Office of Technical Service, CIA's version of James Bond's 'Q,' and key to so many of the agency's successes-and nowhere more so than in Moscow during the Cold War."
— Jack Downing, former chief of station, Moscow, and the CIA's former deputy director for operations
An insider's look at CIA operations in Moscow, the most challenging operational city in the world, revealing the tradecraft precepts used to keep priceless assets productive against overwhelming KGB surveillance. Written by two of the people who created these breakthrough tactics, The Moscow Rules takes you every step of the way on the snowy streets of Moscow.
— Jason Matthews, New York Times-bestselling author of the Red Sparrow trilogyIf there was ever a single book which could sum up the dangers, heroism, inventiveness and intrepidity of the intelligence officers of the CIA it is The Moscow Rules. This final homage to one of the nation's bravest patriots will be an instant bestseller. It is the real-life spy thriller one can't put down.
— Malcolm Nance, New York Times bestselling author of The Plot to Destroy DemocracyEven inside the CIA, very few know the whole story of how the highest-level CIA tradecraft was developed for use in Moscow. The legendary Tony and Jonna Mendez were a vital part of creating that tradecraft, and their riveting insider account is unlike any spy story that's ever been published.
— Joe Weisberg, creator/executive producer, The AmericansIntriguing true stories of the techniques of CIA spying on the dangerous front line of the Cold War.
— Dame Stella Rimington, former director of MI5A gripping, interesting and relevant read... reads like a spy novel yet tells a true tale of the darkest days of the espionage war largely fought between the CIA and the KGB.
— Cipher BriefThe Moscow Rules is devilishly fun.
— New York Times Book ReviewEye-opening entertainment. Fans of le Carré and other spinners of secret-agent tales will find this of considerable interest.
— Kirkus ReviewsBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Antonio J. Mendez served in the CIA for twenty-five years. He is the recipient of several honors, including the Intelligence Star for Valor. He is the author of Spy Dust and The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA. He is co-author with Matt Baglio of Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History. He lives with his family in rural Washington County, Maryland.
Jonna Mendez is a former Chief of Disguise with over twenty five years of experience as a CIA officer working in Moscow and other sensitive areas. She participated in a number of training exercises, along with Tony, which ultimately led to the codification of the rules. She co-wrote Spy Dust with her husband about their shared experience in Moscow during the twilight of the Cold War. Often cited for their expertise in the field, Jonna and Tony are both much sought-after speakers and consultants.