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Summary: We had a right to be scared during the so-called Red Scare .
Review: We had a right to be scared during the so-called "Red Scare" as the Left likes to call KGB infiltration into almost all walks of American life. Most interesting to me was the character assassination of KGB nemesis J. Edgar Hoover who was described as a sexual pervert by a woman with a long record of spreading false news stories. Her calumnies were immediately accepted as true by many in the American media some of whom had wittingly or unwittingly been suborned by the KGB. It's also shocking to note that when these false charges were made there were very few who stood up for the late FBI Director and they apparently had a problem getting their defense heard by the public. This book can be heavy going to those unfamiliar with the world of espionage. Readers might look in the extensive index and seek out at first the names of spies whose names are well known such as Alger Hiss. From there the reader might be able to start at the beginning and really delve into what is revealed. This is not a book to be taken from the public library on a two week loan. It should be purchased and become part of the library of anyone who wants to know the truth about foreign spies in the USA
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Summary: Dangers of Secret Police Directly Taken from KGB Archives
Review: Anyone who is seriously interested in how to conduct government is the most responsible way should read this book. In addition, those who love spy stories, histories, and novels will be rewarded with many new details and perspectives on Soviet and Russian foreign intelligence activities since the Russian Revolution at the beginning of the 20th century.This book surprised me in several ways. First, I did not expect to learn that the KGB did not have a lot of important successes that were not already known publicly. Second, the KGB's effectiveness was more related to Western mistakes than to KGB brilliance. Third, the Soviet perceptions of the United States and Britain seem to have come from Fantasyland. The Soviet state made very poor use of terrific foreign intelligence because its leaders were such poor thinkers and the system did not encourage free discussion. Fourth, helping the dissidents inside the Soviet Union could have helped undo Communism much sooner. What makes this book unique is the combination of having had access to almost all of the foreign intelligence archives of the KGB for 12 years and having those archives interpreted by someone in the KGB who was interested in the need to reform Soviet socialism. By having Christpher Andrew join Vasili Mitrokhin in authoring this book, you do get a Western overlay but the fundamental Russian perspective is still there. I found the "big picture" aspects of the book far more rewarding than the specific examples. The rise of fascism clearly was Moscow's greatest resource in getting information from the West. The most effective spies (like Kim Philby and the other Magnficent Five in Britain) were as much motivated by anti-fascism as they were by helping the U.S.S.R. Although some are always willing to sell out for money or sex, idealism is the most dangerous motivation for traitors. Interestingly, leaks from the United States about the atomic and hydrogen bombs related again to idealism -- concern about avoiding a world in which those bombs might be used. How might future offensive and defensive technology breakthroughs create similar actions? It's a chilling thought. At the same time, the failure of the Soviet system eventually limited its ability to gain new traitors. The human rights abuses of the Soviets made Communism seem as dangerous to many idealists as fascism had earlier. Stalin doomed the Soviet system as much as its structural flaws did. On the other hand, Lenin was just as committed to controlling through secret police and intelligence gathering as Stalin was. Clearly, the Communist hand at the tiller in Moscow would have slipped much sooner if severe repression and fear had not been used. I also wondered how many of the problems that Western democracies had with the KGB could have been eliminated by having focused on proper security earlier. The shocking lapses of the British foreign service prior to World War II and in the Roosevelt administration clearly allowed a disproportionate share of the Soviet gains through foreign intelligence. It would also be very interesting to read about how Western democracies could have countered these foreign intelligence operations sooner. Philby was essentially unmasked much earlier, and the same was true of Alger Hiss. To me, though, the most frightening element of the book is the adoption of the new Russian intelligence operation of a visible connection to the heroes and history of the KGB and its successors. That represents a serious risk to creating a reestablishment of a Russia dominated by the secret police. That development could only lead into directions that are not good for Russians . . . or anyone else. The stories in this book about how KGB agents loyally served Stalin's slaughter, even as 90 percent of them lost their lives, are absolutely frightening. That could happen again! How can we avoid it? What are the lessons here about secrecy? I suggest that you think about how secrecy affects your work and personal life. Where does secrecy help? Where does it hurt? What are the ethical implications of employing secrecy? Use truth to help people make good decisions . . . always!
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Summary: A brave man just passed on
Review: Vasili Mitrokhin just died at the age of 81 on January 23, 2004. His efforts exemplify why mafia-gang thugocracies, such as the KGB in the USSR, face an increasing decline in their individual spheres of dominance. Between the unblinkered analysis of men like Mitrokhin and the information explosion, the bad guys can't so easily get away with the big lie. This book, released in 1999, has received all the plaudis and criticisms of those pro and con; but, think about how it overlays today with the Islamic Jihadists of Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and the various iterations of the PLO and Hezzbollah? It's concurrent with all the spies, the secret infiltrators of our civil society, the disinformation campaigns, the complicity of a naive and blinkered media and academia, the anti-semitism, and the abundant anti-Americanism with its inherent rejection of the intellectual writings of the founding fathers, and of our constitutional republic. All the horrors that one imagined the communists of perpetrating are shown here, and more. Only brave and commited patriots like Ronald Reagan, the greatest president of the 20th century, and Vasili Mitrokhin have stood athwart the doorway of democracy and defended it against the barbarian hordes of the red menace. It's bewildering to understand the intransigence of those who would aver that Mitrokhin's archive is the result of a government forgery. Only in the delusional mind of a Noam Chomsky or one like him would you find such drivel. This is a book, and a subject, that needs more exposure. Perhaps Katie Couric, Bryant Gumbel, or Peter "comrade" Jennings will take up the cudgel...? ....don't hold your breathe!
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Summary: Interesting History of KGB!
Review: This book is probably the most popular book on the KGB now. I got it from my local library and read it. Like the previous reviewer said, don't let this be your first book or for that matter the only book you read on the topic of the KGB. It is a multi-faceted book that doesn't have to be read cover-to-cover to follow. I skipped around a lot. It is engrossing and a page turner at times, yet dry and boring on some matters. While V. Mitrokhin makes light of Soviet disinformation, deception, and lies, I don't quite go along with his perspectives (which is obviously somewhat influence by disinformation) on a few minor points... Mitrokin's revelations are however interesting. All in all, the Sword and the Shield is an intriguing book worth a read (assuming your interested in the the KGB Soviet police state.) I recommend those interested in the KGB consider reading The State Within a State: The KGB and Its Hold on Russia--Past, Present, and Future by Yevgenia Albats.
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Summary: Very Informative
Review: The Sword and the Shield is a very well researched history of Soviet espionage beginning with the founding of the grandfather of the KGB, the Cheka, and ending with the demise of the largest intelligence organization in history. Andrew does well in explaining not only the great successes and failures of the KGB, but also how it became the ultimate symbol of Communist Russia and tool of the totalitarian state. Detailing its persecution of Soviet dissidents as well as its espionage operations worldwide (especially against the U.S and its interests) this book provides interesting, exciting, and often surprising insight into the operations of the infamous KGB.I would give it 5 stars if only there were less spelling and gramatical errors. Otherwise, a good read and recommendedfor anyone wishing to learn more about the rise and fall of the Soviet state.
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Summary: Mitrokhin is dead
Review: Vasili Mitrokhin died at 81 on January 23 in the UK.
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Summary: Alger Hiss Exposed & Other Defenders Of Communism!
Review: The book reveals much of what we already knew and suspected but I think the best has been removed. Well, golly gee, the KGB not only spies on us but actually lies about us, a common trait that goes back to Lenin, Dzerzinsky and Stalin. However, what would be the more interesting inquiry and research is to find out what American publishers, reporters and media first broke these stories and on a regular basis? This will ID many of our ignorant or in some cases complicit press, media and defenders of the First Amendment freedoms except when it comes to conservatives. The book outlines in detail just how and why such rumors, innuendoes and schemes were created and for what purposes. After all, the whole world now knows except Red China and North Korea that Communism is a failure, ruled by a Elite of sheep. The time is now to expose the people who placed such rumors within our media it may even include Labor Leaders, Congressmen, and some real rich boys! Wow, what a grand idea, following lies to find the truth? Use to be the Creed of American journalists. It is about time we have the proof of just which media we can avoid in the future based upon their prior incompetence to find and publish such falsehood. I highly recommend this book and for all you so called Journalists who freely mention these falsehoods in your column shame on you. One way to make it up to the American People is to reveal your sources since they have now embarrassed you into revelations. Too much to ask for your responsibility? Well, maybe after all that is why you are trusted by the American People after Used Car Salesman. Now for those your responsible Journalists looking for a vendetta you should read and follow every lead. Gee, I wonder if the New York Times or Washington Post are worried or will just pan the book.
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Summary: Intelligence Bible
Review: Prof. Andrew and Vissily Mitrokhin's book became an Intelligence Bible since the first day of publication and is an absolute MUST for every professional or anyone interested in the history of Soviet Intelligence Services. You never know when we get a chance to welcome Mitrokhin-2, real life is tuffer than Hollywood, and to get out of Russia with such an archive is a very big deal. I hear the authors are finalising part II. Will be as hot and bestselling as this one, no doubt.
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Summary: Great insight but too subjective and politicised
Review: This perhaps is one of the most detailed and comprehensive books ever written on the activities of the KGB around the world during the Cold War. It requires some knowledge of modern history and an interest in the world of government intelligence services. The fact that it is based on the information collected over many years by the KGB's veteran archivist from the KGB archives gives it extra authority. However, the book's blatant bias in favour of British MI6 prevents it from being top grade material. While it is undoubtful that Western liberal democracy is by far morally superior and legitimate form of government than socialist authoritarianism, it is important to remember that espionage is a very dirty business irrespective of the government it is conducted by. 'The Sword and the Shield' fails to acknowledge that ultimately the KGB was more successful than MI6 had ever been. The KGB's enormous successes in infiltrating the highest levels of MI6 are discredited by a combination of ideological arguments and apparent absurdity of Soviet decision-making in foreign affairs, while the most minor successes of British MI6 are made into major victories over the KGB. This is exactly what the British government wants the public to believe. 'The Sword and the Shield' is ultimately great material (of Vasili Mitrokhin) spoiled by MI6's self-praising political spin (by Christopher Andrew).
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Summary: fascinating history, badly edited
Review: First off, I have to disagree with those readers who warn against reading this book first if you are new to the topic. I'm relatively new to the topic, and the book (along with Weinstein and Vassiliev's "The Haunted Wood") was a terrific, information-packed introduction to it. In fact, Andrew includes so much KGB history that I can hardly imagine what he wrote in his OTHER several-hundred-page-long history of the KGB (which in consequence I think I can excuse myself from reading). Every page is full of fascinating details about the history of intelligence and its connection with better-known "public" history. Particularly valuable is the exposure of Kremlin paranoia (reaching its apogee under the short reign of Andropov, who believed against all evidence that Reagan was enthusiastically pursuing a nuclear first-strike option) and CIA conspiracy-theorizing (the oft-recounted but well-worth-repeating story of Angleton's foolish and destructive belief in Golitsyn's disinformation-theory about the Sino-Soviet split). Contrary to what some reviewers assert, Andrew relies quite extensively on Mitrokhin's archive, as a cursory examination of the book's endnotes will confirm. In short, this is a terrifically useful primer on 20th-century intelligence theory from the Kremlin's standpoint. That said, I have a serious criticism to make. Andrew writes well, and seems in consequence to think that he can send his manuscripts straight to the typesetter, entirely dispensing with the services of a copyeditor. The inevitable result is a book full of gross and obvious spelling and punctuation errors--really dumb stuff, like failing to capitalize names and the first words of sentences, and so on. Hardly a page goes by without some such blemish. There are, in fact, systematic groups of typos, doubtless mostly computer-generated, such as the consistent misspelling of German names and words (the current German Chancellor appears as Gerhard Schrider, with a hat over the "i"), and there are more subtle problems, like the following sentence: "It would have been wholly out of character had the Centre failed to interpret President Kennedy's assassination. . .as anything less than conspiracy." Obviously, you'd have to tweak one end of this sentence or the other to make it mean what Andrew wants it to mean. The point is that a good editor would have caught this and corrected it. The problem is worth dilating on, since it's so widespread these days (at least it seems so to me) and so easily fixed. Still, errors and all, this is a first-rate book.
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