'One of the biggest intelligence coups in recent years' The TimesFor years KGB operative Vasili Mitrokhin risked his life hiding top-secret material from Russian secret service archives beneath his family dacha. When he was exfiltrated to the West he took with him what the FBI called 'the most complete and extensive intelligence ever received from any source'. This extraordinary bestselling book is the result.'Co-authored in a brilliant partnership...

In this volume Mitrokhin presents two dictionaries produced by the KGB itself to define their activities in both offensive and defensive intelligence work. The translated documents tell the story of the KGB's methods and targets and should interest the general public as well as the specialist.

**Based on astonishing KGB documents, this essential exposé uncovers the shadowy operations of the Soviet Union’s top intelligence organization.“The Sword and the Shield will stand as an indispensable reference work on Soviet espionage for years to come.”** ―Washington PostBased on an unprecedented, top-secret archive described by the FBI as “the most complete and extensive intelligence ever achieved from any source,” The Sword and the...

The Sword and the Shield is a compelling-and historically significant-narrative destined to cast new light on the Soviet era.