Spy Handler: Memoir of a KGB Officer

**Roguish Lawyer** · 03-25-2005, 10:58

by Victor Cherkashin with Gregory Feifer

I liked this one. Cherkashin served in the KGB from the 1950s through the collapse of the Soviet Union. He was posted in various places around the world, including Washington, Beirut, Australia, India and West Germany. He was the principal handler of Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen, two of the worst traitors in U.S. history. Well written and entertaining if you are interested in HUMINT.

I have to share the following excerpt, which recites a conversation between Hanssen and former NSC counterintelligence director David Major:

Hanssen: "You know why the FBI can't beat the KGB?"

Major: "Bob, what's the answer?"

Hanssen: "Because they don't practice the theory of OODA loops."

LMAO

AngelsSix · 03-30-2005, 20:57

Dang RL....I just read this while in NY. Left it for my Dad to read. Very interesting how the game was played.....I miss the Cold War!!

Huey14 · 03-30-2005, 22:05

I'm currently reading Oleg Gordievsky's history of the KGB- absolutely fascinating.

Also reading a book on the Walker spy ring for between Uni classes.

I'll have to pick this one up- it would fit in nicely.