Farrar Straus and Giroux
Near and Distant Neighbors: A New History of Soviet Intelligence
Key Metrics
- Jonathan Haslam
- Farrar Straus and Giroux
- Hardcover
- 9780374219901
- 9.3 X 6.3 X 1.2 inches
- 1.3 pounds
- History > Russia & the Former Soviet Union
- English
Secure TransactionBook Description
A uniquely comprehensive and rich account of the Soviet intelligence services, Jonathan Haslam's Near and Distant Neighbors charts the labyrinthine story of Soviet intelligence from the October Revolution to the end of the Cold War.
Previous histories have focused on the KGB, leaving military intelligence and the special service--which focused on codes and ciphers--lurking in the shadows. Drawing on previously neglected Russian sources, Haslam reveals how both were in fact crucial to the survival of the Soviet state. This was especially true after Stalin's death in 1953, as the Cold War heated up and dedicated Communist agents the regime had relied upon--Klaus Fuchs, the Rosenbergs, Donald Maclean--were betrayed. In the wake of these failures, Nikita Khrushchev and his successors discarded ideological recruitment in favor of blackmail and bribery. The tactical turn was so successful that we can draw only one conclusion: the West ultimately triumphed despite, not because of, the espionage war.
In bringing to light the obscure inhabitants of an undercover intelligence world, Haslam offers a surprising and unprecedented portrayal of Soviet success that is not only fascinating but also essential to understanding Vladimir Putin's power today.
Author Bio
Jonathan Haslam is a leading scholar on the history of thought in international relations and the history of the Soviet Union whose work builds a bridge between historical studies and the understanding of contemporary phenomena through critical examinations of the role of ideology.
His studies of Soviet foreign policy are expansive in their quality and range, demonstrating his keen originality of thought, supported by insightful and comprehensive archival research.
Haslam is the author of many books, as well as a blog, www.throughrussianeyes.com, which highlights aspects of Russia’s foreign and defense policies that do not see the light of day in mainstream media.
Honors
Appointments: Historical-Diplomatic Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, International Advisory Committee 1992–96; House of Lords European Union Committee, Sub-Committee for Common Security and Foreign Policy, Specialist Adviser 2001–02
Editorships: Annals of Communism, Editorial Board 1999–; Cold War History, Editorial Advisory Board 2000–
Journal of Contemporary History, Editorial Board 2011–
Fellowships: British Academy; Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; Johns Hopkins University, Society of Scholars; Royal Historical Society
Source: Institute for Advanced Study
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