The Spy in the Archive

How One Man Tried to Kill the KGB

By: Gordon Corera

Narrated by: Gordon Corera

How do you steal a library? Not just any library but the most secret, heavily guarded archive in the world. The answer is to be a librarian. The work goes on for decades but remains so low key, that even after your escape, no one even notices you are gone.

The Spy in the Archive tells the remarkable story of how Vasili Mitrokhin—an introverted archivist—ended up changing the world. As the in-house archivist for the KGB, the secrets he was exposed to turned him into a dissident and then a spy; a traitor to his country but a man determined to expose the truth about the dark forces that had subverted Russia, forces still at work in the country today.

Historian and journalist Gordon Corera tells of the operation to extract this prized asset from Russia for the first time. It is an edge-of-the-seat thriller with vivid flashbacks. It is the story of what it was like to live in the Soviet Union, to raise a family there, and then of one man's journey from the heart of the Soviet state to disillusion, betrayal, and defection.

At its heart is Mitrokhin's determination to take on the most powerful institution in the world by revealing its darkest secrets. This is narrative nonfiction at its best.

©2026 Gordon Corera (P)2026 Tantor Media

Amazing deep dive into what a real spy did

Amazing story almost unreal but so real at the same time ! The author gives validation for a spys sacrifice to get out the truth

An interesting tapestry

Gordon Corera has woven together the history and culture of Russia, politics, and daily life experiences of the people in the USSR in an interesting and easy to follow book.

Hearing a bit about Putin as a teenager in this book makes these events seem more recent and tangible.

I thought I was simply buying a "spy thriller." I was rewarded with even more. I enjoy books that bring history to life!

Revealing Story of KGB Archivist’s War on Chekists

Story of Vasili Mitrokhin who evolved from KGB true believer to disillusioned and warrior against “the Beast” that developed from the early post-revolutionary Cheka. Fascinating histories of KGB agents and targets including notable characters such as Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Vladimir Putin.

Great history

Well sourced. Well written. The cold war is over (maybe) but it’s still useful to examine how the ussr operated. That information helps inform the discussion of Russia today.

Fantastic insight

This guy was a hero and hopefully this books leads to the complete a total collapse of the authoritarian regime currently waging war against the world.