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.
Gamboru, Nigeria Wednesday 11:00pm
Cloud cover hid the moon. The darkness was therefore nearly complete. The few remaining lights in the city were obscured by the trees. A single jeep sat parked off of a seldom used back road. It’s engine was off and the occupant had already exited the vehicle. In such darkness it was easy for the mind to wonder into forbidden thoughts. The only noise came from the chirping insects and the lone man who could no longer lean quietly against the jeep.
Oluwaseun Ogunleye was fidgeting nervously. He couldn’t stand still. It was 11:00pm. They should be here. The attack should have occurred between 6:00pm and 7:00 and then they should have been back to him by 10:30 at the latest. Could something have gone wrong? The nervousness of waiting made minutes seem longer than they were. He had arrived just after ten and this hour had seemed more like a week. His mind had been racing but no matter what he tried to fill it with the time moved torturously slow. So he thought about the last question.
Of ...
