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The Moscow Rules

The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War

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The Moscow Rules

Written by: Antonio Mendez, Jonna Mendez
Narrated by: Wilson Bethel
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About this listen

 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.
Antonio Mendez and his future wife Jonna were CIA operatives working to spy on Moscow in the late 1970s, at one of the most dangerous moments in the Cold War. Soviets kept files on all foreigners, studied their patterns, and tapped their phones. Intelligence work was effectively impossible. The Soviet threat loomed larger than ever.

The Moscow Rules tells the story of the intelligence breakthroughs that turned the odds in America's favor. As experts in disguise, Antonio and Jonna were instrumental in developing a series of tactics -- Hollywood-inspired identity swaps, ingenious evasion techniques, and an armory of James Bond-style gadgets -- that allowed CIA officers to outmaneuver the KGB.

As Russia again rises in opposition to America, this remarkable story is a tribute to those who risked everything for their country, and to the ingenuity that allowed them to succeed. Americas Freedom & Security Politics & Government Russia True Crime United States Espionage Soviet Union Cold War Computer Security Spy Craft

What the critics say

“The Moscow Rules is devilishly fun.”—New York Times Book Review
“Opens a rare window into how the CIA works in the Russian capital.”—NPR
“A 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 Brief
“Eye‑opening entertainment. Fans of le Carré and other spinners of secret‑agent tales will find this of considerable interest.”—Kirkus
“If 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 Democracy
“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 trilogy
“Even 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 and executive producer, The Americans
“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
“Intriguing true stories of the techniques of CIA spying on the dangerous front line of the Cold War.”—Dame Stella Rimington, former director of MI5
All stars
Most Relevant
Really appreciate the author’s behind the scenes stories in Russia. This book is filled with stories that are both fascinating and suspenseful. Many of the intelligence officers including the author are literal magicians doing tricks in Russia.

Magicians in Russia

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wonderful book, describes technique and portrays a inspiring and gripping story of the spys struggle

utterly inspiring

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The book gives a unique and interesting perspective into CIA operations in Moscow with a look into the triumphs and failures. Great read!

Great insight into former CIA operations in Moscow

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Great, shortish listen. You can see it was gutted a little by security as it’s a bit light in parts. But very interesting none the less.

Great book

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