Midnight in Moscow

A Memoir from the Front Lines of Russia's War Against the West

By: John J. Sullivan, Jim Mattis - introduction

Narrated by: John J. Sullivan, Matt Godfrey

A memoir of service by the American ambassador who was on the diplomatic front lines when Putin invaded Ukraine, Midnight in Moscow is the first behind-the-scenes account of how U.S.-Russia relations hit their nadir—and a playbook for our unfolding confrontation.

For weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, John J. Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador in Moscow, was warning that it would happen. When troops finally crossed the border, he was woken in the middle of the night with a prearranged code. The signal was even more bracing than the February cold: it meant that Sullivan needed to collect his bodyguards and get to the embassy as soon as possible. The war had begun, and the world would never be the same.

In Midnight in Moscow, Sullivan leads readers into the offices of the U.S. embassy and the halls of the Kremlin during this climactic period—among the most dangerous since World War II. He shows how the Putin regime repeatedly lied about its intentions to invade Ukraine in the weeks leading up to the attack, while also devoting huge numbers of personnel and vast resources to undermining the U.S. diplomatic mission in Russia. And he explains how, when Putin ultimately gave the order to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, he proved that Russia was not just at war with its neighbor: it was also at war, in a very real sense, with the United States, and with everything that it represents. But while Putin decided how this conflict started, its ending will be shaped by us.

With his unique perspective on a pivotal moment in world history, Sullivan shows how our relationship with Russia has deteriorated, where it’s headed, and how far we should be prepared to go in standing up to the menace in Moscow.

Critic reviews

“Midnight in Moscow is nonfiction that reads like a thriller. With rich, personal details, John Sullivan lifts the curtain on the real Russia and offers a compelling portrait of tough, effective diplomacy in our complex world.”—Wendy R. Sherman, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State

"Riveting and rich in detail, Midnight in Moscow ranges from the 'pressure cooker' of Donald Trump's Washington to the 'hot seat' of Moscow, offering an illuminating account of the last-ditch diplomatic efforts to head off disaster as Vladimir Putin careens toward war with Ukraine. Readers will be grateful that such a distinguished diplomat was on hand for this difficult time."—Fiona Hill, New York Times bestselling author of There Is Nothing for You Here

“An extraordinary if not unprecedented frontline memoir by one of our nation's most experienced public servants, Midnight in Moscow weaves history, politics, and firsthand accounts into a timeless and valuable portrait of contemporary U.S.-Russia relations. Ambassador Sullivan’s remarkable narrative gives policy makers and casual readers alike a rare glimpse into the makeup and future of one of the planet’s most challenging and critical bilateral relationships.”—Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and China

Disappointing

I was hoping the ambassador to Russia would have more insight into the country and the invasion of the Ukraine. There was some but mostly it was a rehash of already known newspaper material. He spent an inordinate amount of time recounting his personal life and every plaudit he had received. And maybe others would be interested in his enthusiasm for hockey or Boston, but I was hoping for more about Russia. Similarly his relationship with his wife was not the motivating factor for my purchase of the Audible book. Finally his narrating the book was a bad choice—he should have hired a professional Disappointing.

Diplomacy Amidst Adversaries

Good recounting of not only the political situation around the Russian invasion of Ukraine but also how one team conducted diplomacy under highly adversarial conditions.

FASCINATING & Troubling

What an amazing career. Such insights. Re Russia wish more had listened to Sullivan. Excellent book and author narration.

Not so intriguing

John Sullivan has undoubtedly led a very interesting life of service, but he seriously lacks good story telling chops. The book is…boring. Sullivan seems desperate to paint himself as a character in a John Le Carre novel - which he literally was! Unfortunately Sullivan seems like a man who is Republican Party soldier and dry as a bone. Sorry, mate.

A look at the relationship between US and Russia by the US Ambassador to Russia during Trump and Biden administrations.

A very thoughtful book about Putin’s Russia, NATO, and Ukraine from the viewpoint of someone who lived in Russia during much of the last decade. As Ambassador hie had the ability to see jailed Americans in Russian prisons.and ascertain their overall health. Could we have done something different to prevent the rise of someone like Putin. He looks at the role of US in the world in regard to isolationism vs participation in the world order. Very informative and an interesting read.