Next Stop Execution: The Autobiography of Oleg Gordievsky Paperback – May 5, 2022

Oleg Gordievsky was an officer of the KGB who worked his way up through the bureaucracy to becoming the acting head of the KGB in London, even while working MI5 for 10 years until his defection in 1985. This was one of the sensations of the 1980's, and one of the KGB's worst defeats.This book is enormously valuable for its description of the KGB's culture, its modus operandi, and its dynamics. It is only slightly less valuable for describing urban life in the USSR from the end of 1940's onwards. This is, after all, an autobiography, and the author starts at the beginning: his family background, childhood, and school years. Although his style is restrained, he makes clear that life was difficult and poor even for the family of a middle level KGB apparatchik (his father was an out of favor colonel of the KGB). Gordievsky's selection for the KGB was apparently on merit and not "pull," and his chapters about his years in the KGB's training academy is another surprise: much laxer and of lower academic standard than comparable tertiary institutions in the USA or the UK.The subsequent chapters describe his assignments in the KGB's headquarters in Moscow, followed by his first overseas posting to Copenhagen, and the surprise of how different life was there compared to Moscow. There is throughout this book too much self-doubt, too many internal monologues, but perhaps this too is unavoidable in a life such as Gordievsky's. Also, the leitmotif of a KGB career was the knowledge that failure would result, at best, in a miserable assignment with a great lowering of one's standard of living, and that even the suspicion of treason would bring certain death. As other reviewers have noted, further strain on KGB officers came from the constant intrigue for advancement, and the effects of power struggles at the top on even junior officers. It was, nevertheless, surprising to read, that the KGB's reporting and collection, was just as slip shod as the as the work of the civilian ministries of the USSR, notwithstanding its occasional coups.The chapters which include the author's contacts with MI5 are very interesting, and his extraction from the USSR is downright exciting. Since 1985, Gordievsky has written several books about Soviet intelligence, but unfortunately, now can be found on Kindle.I rated this book at five stars not because of its literary quality, but because of its content which is clearly presented and should be read by anyone interested in the intelligence history of the Cold War.

This is an interesting book written by a man with a change of heart. Growing up in post-World War Two Russia, he was an ardent Soviet who turned on the KGB in favor of the British.Along the way, he made several interesting contributions to the West by providing information about Soviet era perspectives on American intentions in Europe. Much of this information was important in regards to SALT treaties, SDI, and other programs. Important enough he eventually had an audience with Ronald Regan and Margaret Thatcher in regards his place in history.Historically he shows how in the 1960s the Soviets sought to integrate themselves into various national and international organizations within the US and our allies with the express idea of using these organizations to confuse and cause issues inside with miss-information and miss-guidance. The idea was to use the citizens against their own nation’s best interest.Ultimately, I feel this fetid effort has produced a noxious fruit based on our own blind-ignorance, self-delusion and deception and ultimately an obnoxious level of denial of reality. How wicked the world of miss-information.Sadly, it sounds as if such methods of espionage have reached a higher standard and have muddled the politics of the day. Sometimes a failed effort has as much an impact as a successful one. Sometimes the smoke clearing reveals a perceived truth rather than a reality.There is a wonderful expression that everything old is new again. Reading history books is clear that history does not repeat itself. However, as the Russians say, “It most certainly rimes.”Over all I enjoyed the book tremendously. It is a quick easy read and is rich in details. However, surprisingly vague in the technical aspects of being a spy. This curious fact is lurking beneath the covers of most books written by men in this line of work. They can tell you a great story without telling you the entire story. In fact it was only near the end that I started putting together a time-line that showed who had ratted him out to the Russians.The author was lucky not to be shot and killed by the KGB.If you enjoyed this book I would suggest reading Circle of Treason, A CIA account of Traitor Aldrich Ames by Sandra Grimes and Jeanne Vertefeuille,, The Craft we Chose by Richard Holm.

Oleg made his story interesting and easy to follow, considering the many unusual Russian names that he talked about. In addition, he did a wonderful job of describing the various environments, cultures and personalities that he encountered. The story was so compelling that I kept wondering when and how he would get caught. Great story, AND it's true!

Having read Ben Macintyre’s book about Mr. Gordievsky’s life, I was interested to read the first hand account. And it was a near page-turner. Learning the story from his perspective was great, and not at all boring.

Mr. Gordievsky betrayed the KGB because he came to see Soviet totalitarianism as wrong-headed and a fraud on the people. He is a man of conscience and delicacy. He portrays the KGB as Keystone Cops. The book is interesting and very well written, but not on the level of Kim Philby's story. I enjoyed it, but would't call it a must read, even for spy history aficionados.

This book provided interesting insights into the culture, mindset and workings of the USSR and especially the KGB. Many novels paint it as an a wholly violent culture, while Oleg paints a view of bureaucracy and some ineptitude, but with an edge of fear of violence. The book is a little long and detailed, starting off with an exciting chapter of Mr. Gordievsky’s escape, and then flashing back to his story of growing up, his education, and his work life in the KGB. I found myself skimming some of it as it had more detail than I was interested in. As a fan a of the espionage genre, it provides a balance of reality, and I have a new appreciation for the Russian people.

Very readable and covers a lot of detail Excellent English and very well done book. Not exactly a page turner but very interesting anyway

This was the second book I'd read on Oleg Gordievsky (the first being by Ben MacIntyyre). Both were excellent, with this one giving a totally different perspective to the reader (being written by Oleg Gordievsky himself) . An excellent record of absolutely amazing events that actually happened. Since reading the books there is a piece of music that I cannot hear without "coming back" to the narrative!

Good 👍 book 📖 👌 👍Very exciting and knowledgeable .thanksMust read this book. 👏 👍👌🙏❤️ ....enjoyLove the author

Yeah, I’ve got this book to see what the fuss was about, without any great enthusiasm. To my delight, it is very good, with good information provided by Oleg G about the Soviet Union and KGB.

The sheer banality,beaurocracy and pettiness of the KGB is quite an eye opener.The background information provided in this book gives a good all round picture of Oleg's life in a rigid system where one wrong word could mean your downfall.Russian culture and lifestyle are the backdrop to this fascinating autobiography.

Enlightening to say the least, of the true nature of the Soviet Union under communism. The vast network of intelligence, intrigue, spying, espionnage, and paranoia of a totalitarian state that allowed no indépendant thinking or freedom to travel. Appreciate what the writer did for the West and for the world by educating them on the communist psychology and mind set and so making the world a safer place to live.