Listen to a sample
The Moscow Rules
- Author
- Jonna Mendez
- Narrator
- Wilson Bethel
- Publisher
- Hachette Audio
- Publish Date
- 21 May 2019
- Run Time
- 7 hours 2 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Two legendary former CIA operatives reveal the tactics they developed to survive the Cold War in Moscow and turn the odds in America’s favor—as referenced in Apple TV’s Emmy-winning spy thriller series, Slow Horses.
“Devilishly fun.” —New York Times Book Review
Antonio and Jonna Mendez were CIA technical operations officers in Moscow during the dangerous final years of 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.
A vivid exposé that reads like a le Carré novel, The Moscow Rules sheds light on the brave collaborations between CIA operatives and Russian informants, and the innovative ways they avoided Soviet surveillance. As experts in disguise, Antonio and Jonna were instrumental in developing a series of tactics—from Hollywood-inspired identity swaps to an armory of James Bond–style gadgets—that allowed CIA officers to outmaneuver the KGB.
The Moscow Rules is the remarkable story of the undercover spies who risked everything for their country, and a tribute to the ingenuity that allowed them to succeed.
Critics Review
-
“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
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
“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
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Jonna Mendez
- Narrator
- Wilson Bethel
- Duration
- 7 hours 2 minutes
- Release Date
- 21 May 2019
- ISBN
- 9781549195174
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Hachette Audio
- Genre
- True crime, Espionage and secret services, Espionage and secret services, History of the Americas, History of other geographical groupings and regions
Synopsis
Two legendary former CIA operatives reveal the tactics they developed to survive the Cold War in Moscow and turn the odds in America’s favor—as referenced in Apple TV’s Emmy-winning spy thriller series, Slow Horses.“Devilishly fun.” —New York Times Book ReviewAntonio and Jonna Mendez were CIA technical operations officers in Moscow during the dangerous final years of 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.A vivid exposé that reads like a le Carré novel, The Moscow Rules sheds light on the brave collaborations between CIA operatives and Russian informants, and the innovative ways they avoided Soviet surveillance. As experts in disguise, Antonio and Jonna were instrumental in developing a series of tactics—from Hollywood-inspired identity swaps to an armory of James Bond–style gadgets—that allowed CIA officers to outmaneuver the KGB.The Moscow Rules is the remarkable story of the undercover spies who risked everything for their country, and a tribute to the ingenuity that allowed them to succeed.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.