The Audio Long Read Best of 2025 … so far: ‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son
Aug 13, 2025
James Faulkner, an engaging narrator known for his compelling storytelling, brings to life the riveting tale of a KGB spy and his son. They delve into family secrets set against the backdrop of Cold War espionage, revealing the emotional toll of living a double life. The father-son bond strains under the weight of loyalty and identity as Peter navigates his inherited legacy. Their conversations spark reflections on moral complexities and the impact of hidden truths, encapsulating the chilling yet fascinating world of spies and the families they affect.
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Teenage Recruitment On A Lima Bench
- At 16, Peter's father told him in Lima that he was a KGB illegal and recruited him into spying.
- Peter agreed partly to connect with his emotionally distant father and avoid family separation.
Illegals Were Long-Term, Highly Managed Operatives
- The KGB's illegals were meticulously trained to impersonate Westerners for decades-long missions.
- By the 1960s the programme became more regimented and harder to maintain under scrutiny.
Deli Cover And CBC Work Built Credibility
- Rudy and Inger posed as German immigrants, opened a deli in Toronto and Rudy worked at the CBC.
- They crafted a plausible cover life including naturalization and community ties to avoid suspicion.
