Agents of Influence: How the KGB Subverted Western Democracies

(Hardback)

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Description

Agents of Influence reveals the secret history of an intelligence agency gone out of control, accountable to no one but itself and intent on subverting Western politics on a near-inconceivable scale. In 1985, 1,300 KGB officers were stationed in the USA. The FBI only had 350 counter-intelligence officers. Since the early days of the Cold War, the KGB seduced parliamentarians and diplomats, infiltrated the highest echelons of the Civil Service, and planted fake news in papers across the world. More disturbingly, it never stopped. Putin is a KGB man through and through. Journalist Mark Hollingworth reveals how disinformation, kompromat and secret surveillance continue to play key roles in Russias war with Ukraine. Its frighteningly easy to threaten Western democracy but we can, and must, defend it.

Reviews

'A racy and readable account of a range of Soviet intelligence operations carried out during the Cold War.'

-- Telegraph

An enjoyable read

-- The Times

'Entertaining.'

-- Tablet

'A gripping story filled with remarkable revelations.'

-- Tom Bower, author of Revenge

'From honey traps to hit jobs, the plot twists likeTheThird Manin post-war Vienna. MarkHollingsworth ably traces the history of active measures from Lenins Chekists to the present day. Deeply researched, fluently written and insightful, this book is essential reading for anyone trying to understand the threat Putins Russia poses to us here in Britain.'

-- Edward Lucas, author of Deception

'A valuable account of an important and highly topical subject Russian intelligence operations against the West A must-read for anyone wishing to understand the origins of the malign mindset and obsession of Vladmir Putin and his acolytes.'

-- Christopher Steele, former MI6 officer in Russia, 1990-93

Author Bio

Mark Hollingsworth regularly contributes to The Times, the Financial Times, Observer, Sunday Times and the Guardian. He is the author of nine previous books, including Londongrad: The Inside Story of the Oligarchs (Fourth Estate, 2010).