The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War Kindle Edition

Wonderful, eye opening read, it brings a lot of details from the cold war to focus. I suggest you take notes of all abbreviations- so many of them.

This captivating book is both an original contribution to Cold War literature and a gripping piece of narrative history, recapturing interesting episodes of the critical clandestine war fought on the streets of Moscow.Based on their experience in the CIA (52 years, combined), the authors portray the CIA effort over the years to refine its tactics, implement new technologies and develop new set of techniques to combat the massive and the „blanket” surveillance of the KGB’s Second Chief Directorate and Seventh Directorate (Surveillance) in Moscow.As the authors revealed, the evolution of these new approaches and solutions helped some case officers (among others H. Smith, V. Crockett, M. Peterson, J. Guilsher or B. Plunkert) in avoiding the surveillance or running spy cases (Ogorodnik or Tolkachev), but also some chiefs of station (G.Hathaway, B. Gerber or J. Downing) involved in supervising the clandestine operations.The spy stories “…are not new…”, but the authors devoted many pages to make the reader understand the problems faced at that time and the difficulty to find the right solution and, finally, its implementation on the field.As authors claimed in its title, these innovations of the CIA’s technical arm “…helped CIA win the Cold War”, a statement which I doubt, considering the new, but still the same old, political or operational context. If so, what kind of “victory” was won at the “end” of that Cold War if “… somehow Russia has been able to claw its way back onto the world stage”?Amply covered are the technological innovations such as Tropel cameras, JIB, the whole range of SRRs, BUSTER, DISCUS, OWVLs and the disguise side of some operations in which the authors (and many colleagues) had an important contribution. The authors also addressed to a technical operation conducted in that period - CKTAW wiretap; sadly, there were no details about GT Absorb, in my opinion, an equally interesting operation (which disappeared from all public domains).Apart of the 11 chapters, you can also find a four-page nice photo gallery with the some of the book’s main characters. Oddly, I found a photo showing A. Tolkachev and mislabeled as “KGB defector” (!) when we know that he was a civilian electronics engineer arrested in 1985. Also, on the first page of the gallery, a photo is showing a colonel who seems unlikely to be Ogorodnik (?), since he was a Soviet diplomat.In the conclusion part -“Epilogue”- the authors analyzed the results and the historical impact of the application of those methods to overcame the KGB threat. The study concludes with „Acknowledgements”, a „Notes” section and the usual index.Energetically written and lucid, it makes an ideal lecture for all Cold War readers. Recommended!

Entertaining and informative look into people and tradecraft of the CIA (and the KGB) during a critical period in history. An easy read, and an engaging narrative style.The end of the book feels rushed and less substantive, possibly due to one of the authors’ health issues, or maybe due to CIA publication review restrictions.But a wonderful glimpse of the reality of espionage in Moscow and Langley, to compare to the fiction enjoyed by Hollywood.

I bought this book after hearing Jonna Mendez speak at an event here in NYC. She was riveting about her time in Moscow and the accomplishments of her Directorate of Operations team. Her late husband, Tony Mendez, was the real-life hero of the movie Argo and is still considered one of the greatest CIA agents of all time.Though most of the stories happened during peak Cold War years, the book starts off with a horrific incident that took place in Moscow in 2016, showing that the tense, hostile U.S.-Russian relationship has never really changed. There may be periods of supposed détente, or glasnost, but they are short-lived and both countries have repeatedly expelled diplomats and suspicious "civilians" from each other's countries.Though CIA has been justifiably criticized over the years for its darker deeds, this book details the creativity and heroism of Tony & Jonna's team in using disguises, misdirection & illusion to protect agents in the field and American diplomats in Moscow. There are stories of agents so disillusioned with the USSR during the Cold War years that they begged--often after repeated rejections by senior leadership in CIA--to spy for our government. When one or two of them were finally accepted, they provided treasure troves of information to U.S. Intelligence. Poignantly, several particularly valuable ones were exposed by the KGB and paid the ultimate price for their services.Aside from the thriller aspects that will keep you compulsively turning pages, the book provides fascinating details about the U.S. Soviet relationship over the last 50 + years and changing leadership at CIA. Highly recommended!

Heard the author interviewed on the radio. She told some of the stories in the book. The title refers to how spies were to behave in Moscow. The rules were always changing as the Soviets (set in the 1970s) caught on to the tricks used by US spies. At the beginning of the CIA spying their methods and techniques were primitive. Once Tony Mendez caught on how magicians use sleight of hand he incorporated that technique into the spy game in Moscow. The spies also used Hollywood costume design methods to change the way a man (mostly males back then) looked. There was one technique the US spies used that they nick-named the Jack in the Box. It was a pop-up doll that, at the press of a button, would pop up usually in the front seat of a car. To the Soviets following them it looked like two people were still in the car when, in fact, the spy had jumped out to meet someone. There was a 15-second gap in the trail where the Soviet spies would finally round the corner and bring the US car back into view. That 15-second gap was crucial. At first I worried that the book would be giving away secrets but as the stories are from the 70s all those methods and techniques were usurped by the Soviets and are no longer used by our spies. Well written, fast paced, riveting.

The dry tone lends a sometimes chilling fatality to the men and women who died during the Cold War, and the scope of technical detail is light enough to be a quick yet informative read.

Like the book.

It's surprising how much the CIA used to rely upon those in the entertainment industry: especially make up artists and magicians.

I wish this book never ended - it’s truly the best read of my year. Fascinating insight into this world and a true great reflection Of the soviet times. I could read this book again and again if you like the world of spies and want to find out truly what it was like during the soviet times don’t even hesitate it’s a fascinating read!

I loved this book, it was well done and interesting to read. If you like reading about the CIA, I would recommend.

Great read.

Fascinating insights into the secretive world of espionage. Almost unbelievable callousness of the traitors that trade human lives for cash from foreign governments. Amazing subterfuge techniques from decades past makes me wonder what sorts of high tech charades are being used today?

Llego en un tiempo antes de lo previsto, viene en pasta dura con la portada el forma de folleto, aun asi son bellas las dos presentaciones.Buenas condiciones del libro y material.