by Tim Weiner
First published 2020
Pulitzer Prize winner Tim Weiner examines the secret battle between American and Russian intelligence services from 1945 to 2020. He traces how political warfare evolved from Cold War espionage operations to modern disinformation campaigns. Weiner argues that while America declared victory after the Soviet collapse, Russia never stopped fighting. Vladimir Putin's intelligence apparatus successfully influenced American elections and continues to penetrate US institutions. The author reveals classified CIA operations and KGB global strategies that shaped decades of covert conflict. He shows how America dismantled its political warfare capabilities after the Cold War, leaving the nation vulnerable to Russian interference. Through insider accounts and declassified documents, Weiner demonstrates that American democracy faces an ongoing threat from sophisticated Russian operations. The book serves as both historical analysis and urgent warning about the current state of this hidden war.
Genres: history, 20th-century, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, espionage
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, urgent
Tropes: historical-fiction, insider-accounts
Setting: America, Russia
Period: 1945-2020
Audio CD · MacMillan Audio