

#5510
Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Billion Dollar Spy
A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal
Book • 2017
The book narrates the extraordinary story of Adolf Tolkachev, a Soviet engineer who, from 1977 to 1985, supplied the CIA with a vast amount of top-secret data on the USSR’s military capabilities.
Tolkachev, working in a top-secret design laboratory, risked his life to provide information on Soviet radar, aircraft, and weapons technology.
The CIA valued his intel at billions of dollars, making him the agency's most valuable Soviet asset.
The book details the intricate and dangerous operations involved in handling Tolkachev, including clandestine meetings, dead-drops, and the bureaucratic challenges faced by the CIA. Hoffman's meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring to life the high-stakes espionage and the personal motivations of Tolkachev, as well as the broader geopolitical implications of his actions[The Bookish Elf, Goodreads].
Tolkachev, working in a top-secret design laboratory, risked his life to provide information on Soviet radar, aircraft, and weapons technology.
The CIA valued his intel at billions of dollars, making him the agency's most valuable Soviet asset.
The book details the intricate and dangerous operations involved in handling Tolkachev, including clandestine meetings, dead-drops, and the bureaucratic challenges faced by the CIA. Hoffman's meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring to life the high-stakes espionage and the personal motivations of Tolkachev, as well as the broader geopolitical implications of his actions[The Bookish Elf, Goodreads].
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 5 episodes
Mentioned by 

as an exceptional work on Tolkachev, which the podcast draws extensively on.


David McCloskey

65 snips
14. Crossing the Iron Curtain: The CIA’s Mole In Moscow (Ep 1)
Mentioned by 

as the source for the nickname "billion dollar spy."


Gordon Corera

36 snips
15. Crossing the Iron Curtain: The Cold War’s Most Valuable Spy (Ep 2)
Mentioned by 

when discussing Adolf Tolkachev's value to the CIA.


Gordon Corera

13 snips
16. Crossing the Iron Curtain: Escape From the KGB (Ep 3)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as one of the two best books to understand what being a spy is really like.

Mike Mears

‘Certainty: How Great Bosses Change Minds’ with Mike Mears
Mentioned by 

as a book detailing the CIA's recruitment and handling of an agent in Cold War Moscow.


Shashank Joshi

Changing the Guard? Turkey’s inconclusive election
Mentioned by 

as a book highlighting the challenges of espionage in Cold War Moscow.


Shashank Joshi

Changing the Guard? Turkey’s inconclusive election
Recommended by ![undefined]()

as a good example of espionage operations.

Matt Brazil

China's Spies