The Sword and the Shield

By: Christopher Andrew, Vasilli Mitrokhin

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

Length: 31 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

This book reveals the most complete picture ever of the KGB and its operations in the United States and Europe. It is based on an extremely top secret archive, which details the full extent of its worldwide network.

Christopher Andrew is professor of modern and contemporary history and chair of the history department at Cambridge University, a former visiting professor of national security at Harvard, a frequent guest lecturer at other United States universities, and a regular host of BBC radio and TV programs. His books - which include Her Majesty’s Secret Service; KGB: The Inside Story (with Oleg Gordievsky); and For the President’s Eyes Only - have established him as one of the world’s leading authorities on intelligence history.

©1985 Christopher Andrew and Vasilli Mitrokhin (P)1999 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A sweeping, densely documented history…Thanks to Comrade Mitrokhin, the KGB and most who spied for it have been stripped naked.” ( New York Times Book Review)

“ The Sword and the Shield will stand as an indispensable reference work on Soviet espionage for years to come.” ( Washington Post)

“Whitfield’s [narration]…is certainly appropriate for this presentation.” (Kliatt)

Thorough, but TMI

This book was very thorough yet it was very hard to get through. Too much detail and very easy to get lost in all the name dropping. A little less minutiae and more background detail would have made this book more enjoyable. Parts were fascinating, but most droned on for me.

Very Europe/US focused

I got this book thinking it will have global coverage of KGB, but this book keeps repeating the known story of Europe and the US. There are lot of stories that happened in Asia and Africa, but absolutely no mention of it. disappointing.
Also, the story is not well pieced together, to many names and to many incidents, often unrelated.

A Deep, (to) Deep Dive Into Soviet Spying

Overall interesting story but way to long and far, far to many names. Could have been half the length and been just as interesting. Best to start with part 2 and go back if really interested.

Good but lengthy

This book goes into great detail about the KGB's activities and organization throughout the cold war years and then some. The problem I had was the vast amount of information shared got lost, twisted and confused in the 31+ hours that this book runs for. If you can manage the length and all that this book is comprised of, you'll be in for one heck of a story. Frankly, I am surprised the KGB managed to last as long as they did, seemed they were more focused on themselves and less of anyone else.

Detailed and thorough

Great account of the KGB and NKVD. Their relationship with other country Ws and their own people.

Very Informative

This book is a highly detailed analysis of Russian intelligence during the Cold War. I highly recommend it.

a book that gives quite a lot of insight on soviet

A book that gives a lot of insight on soviet foreign policy that has a lot of similarities with the Russia that America and the World faces today

Dry listen

A dry listen - very difficult to keep all the different names straight. not recommended.

very comprehensive.

The depth of information is amazing. I highly recommend this book. I loved it much.

A must read for those interested in Spycraft or the Cold War

An amazing look inside how the KGB/Checkist/NKVD operated it’s work in the shadows, from right after the Russian Civil war to the 1980’s. The treasure trove of the internal working from its archivist is a glimpse of a world we would not otherwise see or experience.