While looking for new books I stumbled across this title. I had recently read a few books about spies, so decided to give this one a go.
This book covers a vast amount of time, thereby making it a great introductory book into the world of intelligence between the Soviet Union and the United States and Great Britain primarily.
The book can only provide an overview of the stories involved. If there is a particular spy story that catches your interest you can always find a detailed book about that event. For example Walton makes reference to the defection of Oleg Gordievsky including how one of the women assisting in the escape changed her baby’s diaper on the trunk of the car to prevent the border control dogs from discovering Gordievsky in the trunk. Ben Macintyre outlines Gordievsky’s life and escape in The Spy and the Traitor (which I highly recommend).
The last chapter of the book pivoted away from Russia and focused on China. Perhaps if Walton had spent more time on China earlier in the book this transition could have been better. As it was it didn’t seem to fit into the context of the book.
Overall I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars if the last chapter had been excluded or had been introduced throughout the book. Since it was not I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Thomas Aquinas is credited as one of the greatest proponents of natural law. During his time in Cologne he was taught by Albertus Magnus. Magnus used the teachings of Aristotle in his mentorship of Thomas Aquinas.
Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
London, England, Wednesday 11:00PM
Alister Fairfax impatiently tapped his fingers on his steering wheel and glanced repeatedly at his watch as he waited for the gate to his mansion to open. The early November drizzle was just strong enough that he had his windshield wipers on. The weather was just what one might expect for London at this time of year.
Unfortunately the evening had been just what Fairfax had expected as well. A waste of time and money. The opera had been dull and the conversations at dinner had been boring. The only redeeming decision of the night had been when he decided that he and his wife would drive separately. Otherwise he would still be trapped in a mind numbing social event.
Fairfax was not a man of extravagant tastes. He drove a 20 year old Porsche that he had bought during the foolish days of his youth. In fact he would not even have lived in the Mayfair mansion if not for the social importance it signified. It was a calculated business expense that brought returns so it stayed.
As soon as the gate was wide enough for his car to squeeze through ...
