Ben Macintyre
A British historian and author known for his meticulously researched and gripping non-fiction books that often delve into the world of espionage and World War II. Works like Agent Zigzag and Operation Mincemeat read like thrillers, bringing to life the fascinating and often unbelievable true stories of spies and covert operations. Macintyre's engaging storytelling and historical accuracy have made him a bestselling author.
The Spy and the Traitor is a gripping true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a high-ranking KGB officer who became a double agent for Britain during the Cold War. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Macintyre traces Gordievsky’s espionage, his moral struggles, and his daring escape from Soviet Russia. The book reads like a thriller, filled with tense meetings, coded signals, and near-misses. It reveals the shadowy chess match between East and West and the individual courage it demanded. A masterwork of narrative nonfiction, it’s both historically illuminating and impossible to put down.