The KGB: The Russian Secret Police from the Days of the Czars to the Present

by Graham Yost

Each volume in the World Espionage series introduces young readers to the mysterious world of secret agents and spying. Each title contains dramatic true stories and descriptions of key figures and political events.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816019401
• ISBN13: 9780816019403
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Facts on File
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Soviet Spy Network

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, more information has become available about the activities of the KGB. While some of the material in this book is dated because it was published in 1989, it still gives a great deal of genuine insight into the activities and history of the spy network of the Soviet Union. The name KGB is loosely translated into Commissariat for State Security. While the organization called the KGB was only formed after World War II, the roots of the organization go back to Ivan the Great in his attempts at defeating the occupying Mongols. Various levels of spy organization continued from the time of Ivan the Terrible through Gorbachev. At times, Soviet intelligence was broken into separate but competing organizations. The KGB was at its worst under the direction of Joseph Stalin. His waves of terror saw the execution of anybody perceived to be a threat to the state. Successful individual spies are also documented including legendary double agent Sydney Reilly. Truly some of the spy stories could compete with James Bond. While the book is not as entirely thorough as it could be, the documentation of facts is solid. Much more could be said and more stories could be told about the Soviet intelligence agency. This book could serve as a somewhat dated but infornative introduction to the topic.