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Spies in the Family: An American Spymaster, His Russian Crown Jewel, and the Friendship That Helped End the Cold War
A riveting true-life thriller and revealing memoir from the daughter of an American intelligence officer—the astonishing true story of two spies and their families on opposite sides of the Cold War.
In the summer of 1975, seventeen-year-old Eva Dillon was living in New Delhi with her family when her father was exposed as a CIA spy. Eva had long believed that her father was a U.S. State Department employee. She had no idea that he was handling the CIA’s highest-ranking double agent—Dmitri Fedorovich Polyakov—a Soviet general whose code name was TOPHAT. Dillon’s father and Polyakov had a close friendship that went back years, to their first meeting in Burma in the mid-1960s. At the height of the Cold War, the Russian double agent offered the CIA an unfiltered view into the vault of Soviet intelligence. His collaboration helped ensure that tensions between the two nuclear superpowers did not escalate into a shooting war.
Spanning fifty years and three continents, Spies in the Family is a deeply researched account of two families on opposite sides of the lethal espionage campaigns of the Cold War, and two men whose devoted friendship lasted a lifetime, until the devastating final days of their lives. With impeccable insider access to both families as well as knowledgeable CIA and FBI officers, Dillon goes beyond the fog of secrecy to craft an unforgettable story of friendship and betrayal, double agents and clandestine lives, that challenges our notions of patriotism, exposing the commonality between peoples of opposing political economic systems.
Both a gripping tale of spy craft and a moving personal story, Spies in the Family is an invaluable and heart-rending work.
In the summer of 1975, seventeen-year-old Eva Dillon was living in New Delhi with her family when her father was exposed as a CIA spy. Eva had long believed that her father was a U.S. State Department employee. She had no idea that he was handling the CIA’s highest-ranking double agent—Dmitri Fedorovich Polyakov—a Soviet general whose code name was TOPHAT. Dillon’s father and Polyakov had a close friendship that went back years, to their first meeting in Burma in the mid-1960s. At the height of the Cold War, the Russian double agent offered the CIA an unfiltered view into the vault of Soviet intelligence. His collaboration helped ensure that tensions between the two nuclear superpowers did not escalate into a shooting war.
Spanning fifty years and three continents, Spies in the Family is a deeply researched account of two families on opposite sides of the lethal espionage campaigns of the Cold War, and two men whose devoted friendship lasted a lifetime, until the devastating final days of their lives. With impeccable insider access to both families as well as knowledgeable CIA and FBI officers, Dillon goes beyond the fog of secrecy to craft an unforgettable story of friendship and betrayal, double agents and clandestine lives, that challenges our notions of patriotism, exposing the commonality between peoples of opposing political economic systems.
Both a gripping tale of spy craft and a moving personal story, Spies in the Family is an invaluable and heart-rending work.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2017
About the author
Eva Dillon
2 books45 followersEva Dillon spent twenty-five years in the magazine publishing business in New York City, including stints at Vogue, Glamour, The New Yorker, and as president of Reader’s Digest, U.S. Dillon and her six siblings grew up moving around the world for her father's CIA assignments in Berlin, Mexico City, Rome, and New Delhi. She holds a bachelor’s in Music from Virginia Commonwealth University and lives in Charleston, South Carolina. SPIES IN THE FAMILY was awarded a Kirkus Star from the prestigious book-reviewing company (stars awarded to only 10% of all reviews); and was recently selected as a Wall Street Journal Book Of The Month.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
July 10, 2017
Spies in the Family is a riveting family memoir. After the death of both parents, Eva Dillon and her siblings uncover a box of documents in the home attic. They knew their father had worked for the CIA, under the guise of State Department employee, but it wasn't until this discovery that she learned the full extent of her father's work as a spy. With these documents, she pieced together years of history, and reconnected with a network of contacts to write this book.
Her father, Paul Dillon, specialized in recruiting and handling Russian defectors, among them the "crown jewel", a high-ranking military intelligence officer, Dmitri Polyakov. [Wikipedia entry]. Eva Dillon tracks down Dmitri's son, Alexander, and tells a two-part tale of these men, agents for their respective countries, and the invaluable information that Polyakov shared with Dillon the CIA that "changed the tide" of the Cold War.
A great tale of family and international secrets - 4/5
Her father, Paul Dillon, specialized in recruiting and handling Russian defectors, among them the "crown jewel", a high-ranking military intelligence officer, Dmitri Polyakov. [Wikipedia entry]. Eva Dillon tracks down Dmitri's son, Alexander, and tells a two-part tale of these men, agents for their respective countries, and the invaluable information that Polyakov shared with Dillon the CIA that "changed the tide" of the Cold War.
A great tale of family and international secrets - 4/5
July 27, 2017
This book is a salute to Dmitry Polyakov, a Russian general who spied for the US for over 20 years. He never took any cash or other benefit. He was a true patriot: he did it for Russia and the Russian people whom he felt were badly treated by their government. He could have been kept safe in the US for the asking, but chose to live in Russia despite the risk.
Author Eva Dillon gives an inside look at the CIA during the Cold War. Her father was a CIA handler for General Polyakov. The family perspective (always moving, surprise dad spoke Russian, learning dad’s work, life at Camp Peary) is balanced by her research and reporting on the CIA in the Cold War era.
There are descriptions of Mexico City as a hub for international spying. You learn more about the technology of Cold War tradecraft (cipher tables, listening gear, disappearing ink, classified ads, cameras, the ultra-modern UNIQUE transmitter/receiver) and the means by which both sides recruited and tailed targets. You see how the organizational dynamic spawned by the paranoia of James Angleton led to dysfunction and missed opportunities. From the facts, it is hard to see how the mole Aldrich Ames, whose need for money eventually exposed General, went undetected for so long.
There are portraits of individual defectors (i.e. Kaarlo Toumi, Viktor Belenko) and the chill in both Russia and the US that resulted from unmaskings. There is something on the rivalry of the KGB and the GRU. You see the lives of Polyakov’s children and how they were tied to the success and the vilification of their father. The b & w photos of the Polyakov family in Russia enhance the text.
This is a very meaty book. While short, the author covers a lot of ground.
Author Eva Dillon gives an inside look at the CIA during the Cold War. Her father was a CIA handler for General Polyakov. The family perspective (always moving, surprise dad spoke Russian, learning dad’s work, life at Camp Peary) is balanced by her research and reporting on the CIA in the Cold War era.
There are descriptions of Mexico City as a hub for international spying. You learn more about the technology of Cold War tradecraft (cipher tables, listening gear, disappearing ink, classified ads, cameras, the ultra-modern UNIQUE transmitter/receiver) and the means by which both sides recruited and tailed targets. You see how the organizational dynamic spawned by the paranoia of James Angleton led to dysfunction and missed opportunities. From the facts, it is hard to see how the mole Aldrich Ames, whose need for money eventually exposed General, went undetected for so long.
There are portraits of individual defectors (i.e. Kaarlo Toumi, Viktor Belenko) and the chill in both Russia and the US that resulted from unmaskings. There is something on the rivalry of the KGB and the GRU. You see the lives of Polyakov’s children and how they were tied to the success and the vilification of their father. The b & w photos of the Polyakov family in Russia enhance the text.
This is a very meaty book. While short, the author covers a lot of ground.
November 12, 2020
Spies in the Family by Eva Dillon is a thoughtful, engaging account of two extraordinary men--one Russian, one American--and the trust and friendship between them. Dmitri Polyakov and Paul Dillon spied for their home countries while retaining dignity and morality. Both were good men who served country and family with honor, dedication, courage, strength, and sacrifice. Their story is told through the eyes of the children who loved them dearly--but who did not discover their fathers’ hidden lives as spies until much later.
The book is well-written and informative. The author skillfully integrates wide-ranging sources, including interviews with people who were deeply involved in the careers and lives of both spies.
I learned a great deal about the events, conflict, and tension of the Cold War and the various prominent people who influenced the progression and outcome of the war. The two men at the center of the book had a massive and invaluable influence on the worldwide conflict. Polyakov, in particular, contributed priceless information that directly averted a world war a thousand times over. Polyakov worked as a double agent in the service of the Americans, but at heart and in reality, he succeeded in serving the Russian people he loved so much.
Author Eva Dillon writes objectively and factually, but her love for and connection with her father is meaningfully displayed. It was refreshing to read about two men who were skilled spies, but were devoted to their families. Both men balanced care for their families with a deep, undying loyalty to their respective countries.
I was deeply moved by the end of each man’s story. Both of them faced a painful, premature death with unfailing and steadfast peace, strength, and courage. Each had lived life well and honorably, and had no regrets. I admire and respect both men so much, and I appreciate the opportunity to know them through the pages of this book.
4.5 stars
Content note, for those who want to know:
There is occasional swearing from colleagues of the author’s father who were interviewed and quoted in the book. There are a couple of instances of inappropriate situations created by rival spies, but they are written in a fairly tasteful way.
The book is well-written and informative. The author skillfully integrates wide-ranging sources, including interviews with people who were deeply involved in the careers and lives of both spies.
I learned a great deal about the events, conflict, and tension of the Cold War and the various prominent people who influenced the progression and outcome of the war. The two men at the center of the book had a massive and invaluable influence on the worldwide conflict. Polyakov, in particular, contributed priceless information that directly averted a world war a thousand times over. Polyakov worked as a double agent in the service of the Americans, but at heart and in reality, he succeeded in serving the Russian people he loved so much.
Author Eva Dillon writes objectively and factually, but her love for and connection with her father is meaningfully displayed. It was refreshing to read about two men who were skilled spies, but were devoted to their families. Both men balanced care for their families with a deep, undying loyalty to their respective countries.
I was deeply moved by the end of each man’s story. Both of them faced a painful, premature death with unfailing and steadfast peace, strength, and courage. Each had lived life well and honorably, and had no regrets. I admire and respect both men so much, and I appreciate the opportunity to know them through the pages of this book.
4.5 stars
Content note, for those who want to know:
There is occasional swearing from colleagues of the author’s father who were interviewed and quoted in the book. There are a couple of instances of inappropriate situations created by rival spies, but they are written in a fairly tasteful way.
June 9, 2017
The perspective of this, coming from the daughter of a CIA agent rather than the retired agent or journalist feverishly trying to uncover all the goods, was refreshing. Besides the amazing historical value of what her father and others did, I was also struck, once again, by the realities of how we never really know our parents, to us they are just mom and dad. It's the acceptable selfishness of being a kid; our parents are really just our parents, they aren't individuals until later in our lives. Yet, her going back and filling out the real pictures of her dad and mom and that what they did that had such a huge affect on all of us was a journey that I admire her for doing and taking us along.
February 27, 2023
An intriguing book; a quick read and one that I highly recommend. Books set in the Cold War era always yield plenty of secrets and betrayal and this one is no exception. I have a couple of friends in foreign service and I wonder.... You never know!
May 18, 2017
Wow! Could there be a more appropriate time, aside from the Cold War itself, to read this? Russian spies, American handlers, American spies, whistleblowers... I enjoyed this book, not only for the well-researched espionage aspect, but also the stories of the author's family and the Polyakov family. The inclusion of the Polyakovs' story from interviews with General Polyakov's family brought a depth to the book that would have been otherwise missed. Fast-paced and very readable nonfiction for spy enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys secrets and intrigue. I will be purchasing a copy of Spies in the Family for my dad for Father's Day. Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for this review.
June 18, 2017
This reads like fiction in the best way because the characters are so great. Sandy Grimes--feminist icon. Polyakov and his granddaughter: heartbreaking. A timely and smart read that covers a fascinating time.
June 14, 2017
Wow, just WOW!
Spy and cold war stories are usually not my cup of tea, but this book is a barrage of action from start to finish. Fast-paced and entertaining, you will be absorbed by the electrifying stories of two prominent spies from opposite sides of the cold war.
Spy and cold war stories are usually not my cup of tea, but this book is a barrage of action from start to finish. Fast-paced and entertaining, you will be absorbed by the electrifying stories of two prominent spies from opposite sides of the cold war.
May 29, 2020
Coming from the daughter of a CIA officer whose work took the family through a number of fascinating foreign postings while his children were growing up in the 60s and 70s, this book combines family memoir and Cold War spy tale in a wonderfully engaging manner. While I was familiar with the story of Russian double agent Dmitry Polyakov and the role that his erstwhile CIA handler Paul Dillon played in it, this perspective offered a new angle, putting far more emphasis on the personal life and families of the intelligence officers involved than one usually finds in books on the topic. Hard to put down.
September 2, 2021
Spies in the Family is a memoir that intertwines the career of Dmitry Polyakov, a senior GRU officer and spy, with her own childhood as the daughter of Paul Dillon, the CIA case officer who managed key parts of Polyakov's career.
The memoir has a kind of sepia tinged romanticism, the privileged life of a child of American empire in Rome, Delhi, Berlin, and Mexico City. Dillon has a breezy attitude towards the world of espionage, which makes this approachable but also leads her to just brush past some astounding history, like that two presidents of Mexico were CIA assets (see LITEMPO for details).
Polyakov is by far the more interesting part of the book. By Dillon's telling, based on interviews with surviving CIA case officers and Polyakov's family, Polyakov was a war hero who was disgusted by Krushchev's erratic and brutal behavior, on top of the inefficiency and oppression of the Soviet system. He believed that accurate information would help the Americans, who in his estimation were decadent and unstrategic, avoid risky moves which could escalate the Cold War to a hot one.
At first, Polyakov's attempts to make contact were deflected by the paranoia of CIA counter-intelligence chief James Angleton who believed that every defector was part of a massive plot to feed the US fake intelligence. Once Angleton's iron grip was broken, Polyakov began producing massive amounts of valuable information. He was the CIA's crown jewel, until he retired, and was eventually betrayed by both Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames, and executed for treason.
This book is interesting, but I think the attempts to blend the memoir with the intelligence journalism weaken the story, which is strong enough to stand on its own. The Billion Dollar Spy is twisty and paranoid enough to be a le Carré thriller. The Moscow Rules is another breezy memoir, but one about spycraft by people who did it. Because as both Polyakov's career and death illustrate, intelligence work is about the people who keep the secrets, and what happens when they decide their ostensible cause is not the one they care for.
The memoir has a kind of sepia tinged romanticism, the privileged life of a child of American empire in Rome, Delhi, Berlin, and Mexico City. Dillon has a breezy attitude towards the world of espionage, which makes this approachable but also leads her to just brush past some astounding history, like that two presidents of Mexico were CIA assets (see LITEMPO for details).
Polyakov is by far the more interesting part of the book. By Dillon's telling, based on interviews with surviving CIA case officers and Polyakov's family, Polyakov was a war hero who was disgusted by Krushchev's erratic and brutal behavior, on top of the inefficiency and oppression of the Soviet system. He believed that accurate information would help the Americans, who in his estimation were decadent and unstrategic, avoid risky moves which could escalate the Cold War to a hot one.
At first, Polyakov's attempts to make contact were deflected by the paranoia of CIA counter-intelligence chief James Angleton who believed that every defector was part of a massive plot to feed the US fake intelligence. Once Angleton's iron grip was broken, Polyakov began producing massive amounts of valuable information. He was the CIA's crown jewel, until he retired, and was eventually betrayed by both Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames, and executed for treason.
This book is interesting, but I think the attempts to blend the memoir with the intelligence journalism weaken the story, which is strong enough to stand on its own. The Billion Dollar Spy is twisty and paranoid enough to be a le Carré thriller. The Moscow Rules is another breezy memoir, but one about spycraft by people who did it. Because as both Polyakov's career and death illustrate, intelligence work is about the people who keep the secrets, and what happens when they decide their ostensible cause is not the one they care for.
May 31, 2023
Fascinating! Appreciated the lack of sensationalism or agenda, and I think that’s worth mentioning.
July 11, 2017
Thank you Eva Dillon for sharing your family secrets. Writing this book must have been quite the emotional journey. Yet, you laid out the chronology with such clarity. Sprinkling the faerie dust of coming of age, you brought a smile to my lips when I thought of your brothers' & sisters' antics in any corner of the globe. A great read.
July 8, 2017
A fantastic real life story of espionage intersecting with the family life of a "state department" employee. Fits in nicely with some of Ben McIntyre's books, and if you are a fan of John LeCarre, this should be right up your alley.
July 10, 2018
(audiobook)
I was so excited to read this book after reading the description, but alas, I only made it half way before deciding to set aside. Perhaps in some future life, I will pick it up again.
What is most striking about this book is the unavoidable comparison one makes between the author and her father. One can only assume that he was a charming intuitive man, who made keen observations about people and character. Meanwhile, the author, the daughter of this CIA operative, seems to be disconnected from her past and the people in it. Most of the descriptions revolve around names, adjectives and physical descriptions. We might have the specific names and places involved in each "incident" but the human quality of it all is missing. We hear about paranoid senior officers at the CIA who believed all soviet defectors were double agent. Between this and that, we can follow the story of the main defector --
Polyakov. During this time, the author's father is dragging his family around the world, under the guise of working for the State Department. So naturally, the author describes switching schools and visiting famous places in Rome, with the level of superficiality fitting for a postcard. Rarely does the writing go deeper than something like "we were delighted by the sculptures in…" Sentence after sentence follows the subject - verb format. So oddly, the book feels like jumping between a high schooler's answer to "what did you do this summer?" and vague descriptions of the CIA's paranoia and general incompetence during the cold war. Yet, she does not outright describe her feelings about what she has learned about her father's work or remark on how it may have affected her identity. What I expected to read, given the online description of the book is the story of how she discovered her father was a spy, how she pieced the information together and how that story caused her to reflect on the past. Halfway through, the story has only consisted of an overview of the CIA's work in the early cold war, the "Black Hats" (those paranoid folks at the CIA), and worldly vacations. There is little discussion of her relationship with her father or family. We just know that he got along well with others. Disappointingly, we never discover the details of the ways in which he charmed.
All this being said, as other reviewers mention, this book really is a tribute to Polyakov, who stands out as the most decent, patient player in this particular set of spy games. Likewise, it is not easy to find real stories about such topics, so it has been worth reading at least part of the book.
Sidenote: The audio version I read was quite bad. The reader tried (and failed) to do various accents. Because it is difficult to separate the listening from the text itself, I admit that I might have given it a higher rating, if I had actually read it.
I was so excited to read this book after reading the description, but alas, I only made it half way before deciding to set aside. Perhaps in some future life, I will pick it up again.
What is most striking about this book is the unavoidable comparison one makes between the author and her father. One can only assume that he was a charming intuitive man, who made keen observations about people and character. Meanwhile, the author, the daughter of this CIA operative, seems to be disconnected from her past and the people in it. Most of the descriptions revolve around names, adjectives and physical descriptions. We might have the specific names and places involved in each "incident" but the human quality of it all is missing. We hear about paranoid senior officers at the CIA who believed all soviet defectors were double agent. Between this and that, we can follow the story of the main defector --
Polyakov. During this time, the author's father is dragging his family around the world, under the guise of working for the State Department. So naturally, the author describes switching schools and visiting famous places in Rome, with the level of superficiality fitting for a postcard. Rarely does the writing go deeper than something like "we were delighted by the sculptures in…" Sentence after sentence follows the subject - verb format. So oddly, the book feels like jumping between a high schooler's answer to "what did you do this summer?" and vague descriptions of the CIA's paranoia and general incompetence during the cold war. Yet, she does not outright describe her feelings about what she has learned about her father's work or remark on how it may have affected her identity. What I expected to read, given the online description of the book is the story of how she discovered her father was a spy, how she pieced the information together and how that story caused her to reflect on the past. Halfway through, the story has only consisted of an overview of the CIA's work in the early cold war, the "Black Hats" (those paranoid folks at the CIA), and worldly vacations. There is little discussion of her relationship with her father or family. We just know that he got along well with others. Disappointingly, we never discover the details of the ways in which he charmed.
All this being said, as other reviewers mention, this book really is a tribute to Polyakov, who stands out as the most decent, patient player in this particular set of spy games. Likewise, it is not easy to find real stories about such topics, so it has been worth reading at least part of the book.
Sidenote: The audio version I read was quite bad. The reader tried (and failed) to do various accents. Because it is difficult to separate the listening from the text itself, I admit that I might have given it a higher rating, if I had actually read it.
June 6, 2017
Interesting story. I couldn't put this book down and the fact that it is a true story made it so much better. If yoy are looking for a fascinating true story, this is a boom for you. If yoy don't typically like true storys, but want a book that will grab you, look no further than this book.
August 10, 2017
I found Poliakof very compelling.
Excellent character, good person and a real gentleman.
I enjoyed very much the relation between the two families.
Lovely real story and it is being told with a lot of love.
Excellent character, good person and a real gentleman.
I enjoyed very much the relation between the two families.
Lovely real story and it is being told with a lot of love.
June 5, 2017
Extremely well written and totally fascinating story about the personal and professional lives of 2 spies. You won't want to put it down!
January 6, 2018
I had heard of Polyakov before, but never heard of his motivations, nor his determination to live and die as a Russian. Dillon writes a great book here, weaving together the personal, political, familial, and the strategic levels of the lives of Polyakov, her father, and those around them. There are these illicit meetings, passing of secrets, betrayals of other agents, going on all the time, and some of these events affect the direction of whole nations, as Polyakov's shared secrets did.
I have read all sorts of nonfiction about espionage before but I'd never quite cared about a Russian as much as I have with Polyakov. He did not spy for money, or out of blackmail. He wasn't a flunky of the CIA or any other service (although he did supply the CIA with buckets of information). He was his own man, and he died that way.
The section about Viktor Belenko made me gasp! Of course these stories would interrelate with each other. I read Belenko's book years ago as an impressionable pre-teen, and here he appeared again, but with more secrets revealed.
I'd recommend this book, especially for Cold War kids.
I have read all sorts of nonfiction about espionage before but I'd never quite cared about a Russian as much as I have with Polyakov. He did not spy for money, or out of blackmail. He wasn't a flunky of the CIA or any other service (although he did supply the CIA with buckets of information). He was his own man, and he died that way.
The section about Viktor Belenko made me gasp! Of course these stories would interrelate with each other. I read Belenko's book years ago as an impressionable pre-teen, and here he appeared again, but with more secrets revealed.
I'd recommend this book, especially for Cold War kids.
September 16, 2017
Interesting non-fiction written by the daughter of a CIA agent about United States and Russian spies during the Cold War. She focuses on her father, Paul Dillon, and Russian double agent Dmitri Polyakov. We gain insight into their private lives, along with the tools and methods they used to transfer information. It is filled with subterfuge, betrayal, and intrigue. It also serves as a bit of a travelogue due to Dillon’s transfers around the globe, including Germany, Mexico, Burma, India, and Italy. The book vividly depicts the challenges of life in Soviet Russia during the Cold War.
Overall, I enjoyed this reading experience and cared about what happened to these two men. My issues with it relate to the presentation, in the Kindle edition, more than the content (typo, not linking the index to the page referenced, back cover photo credit given, but not shown). I also found the synopsis and sub-title of the book somewhat misleading, as the friendship is a very small portion of the story and it is not written as a thriller. Attention to such details often separate the great from the good in my opinion.
If you enjoy spy stories, you can’t beat the real thing!
Overall, I enjoyed this reading experience and cared about what happened to these two men. My issues with it relate to the presentation, in the Kindle edition, more than the content (typo, not linking the index to the page referenced, back cover photo credit given, but not shown). I also found the synopsis and sub-title of the book somewhat misleading, as the friendship is a very small portion of the story and it is not written as a thriller. Attention to such details often separate the great from the good in my opinion.
If you enjoy spy stories, you can’t beat the real thing!
June 11, 2017
A safe from my home look behind "the curtain." This book gives a great insight into those who you can't go home because they have seen the honeycomb! It was full of surprises and a few lows. I couldn't put it down because it was a roller coaster ride!
Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Story line adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes.
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. The photo looks unsafe; an urban dressed man is standing in a cold, snowy rural area. Something looks amiss here!
Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Story line adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes.
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. The photo looks unsafe; an urban dressed man is standing in a cold, snowy rural area. Something looks amiss here!
January 26, 2018
A fascinating book that opened my eyes to 20th century US history that I had no idea happened. How did I graduate knowing so much about the revolutionary and civil wars and so little about modern US history? Boo. I wish we read more books like this in high school history: interesting stories used to teach important events. This book taught me more about things like the old war and he it impacted people than a textbook could. I also had a soft spot for Russian everyday folks (i.e., not the oligarchs) and wish deeply that I had entered the foreign service in my youth so this appealed to me in that regard.
December 31, 2017
Though the subtitle is an exaggeration - her father interacted with the Soviet spy in question for only a few years - this is an interesting read about a fascinating topic and period: spies and espionage in the Cold War. Anyone interested in this topic and period will enjoy the book, though hard-core specialists will find fault with the lack of Russian and archival sources.
July 21, 2017
Superb! Great writing. Kept my interest from beginning to the end. Author Eva Dillon is a master storyteller and was able to gather up tons of information about two families, espionage, the Soviet Union, all the characters involved into one cohesive account that keeps you riveted. Highly recommend.
October 26, 2017
An interesting story of a CIA officer who managed some of the most valuable Russian information sources during the Cold War. Told by one of his children, this well researched book follows her father's career and that of his most valuable source of information, a high ranking Russian Officer.
July 25, 2017
Fascinating story. Interesting to see history come alive through the experiences of these two families. Learned so much about the Cold War era.
August 11, 2017
Excellent book - tells an amazing story.
October 20, 2017
Very factual but easy to read
December 10, 2019
A fascinating read! I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the inner workings of the CIA during the Cold War years.
December 9, 2021
As a child, Dillon’s family moved around for her father’s job - she and her siblings thought he worked for the State Department and would later learn he was with the CIA who handled Dmitri Polyakov, a Russian double agent. Dillon’s father and Polyakov had a friendship of sorts or at least a fondness for each other and the work they did help ease the tensions between the US and Russia.
Dillon intertwines espionage with the family lives of the two men and the approach didn’t always work for me. To be honest, I found the espionage portions of the book a little tedious and considered giving up on it at one point. I’m glad I finished it but can’t say that I loved the book.
Dillon intertwines espionage with the family lives of the two men and the approach didn’t always work for me. To be honest, I found the espionage portions of the book a little tedious and considered giving up on it at one point. I’m glad I finished it but can’t say that I loved the book.
March 3, 2021
I love spy novels and stories, but this is very much a real filling in blanks of the history my mother, uncles, and godfather would tell at gatherings. I was given this by my mother, as her father is mentioned in this book. I had no idea that Mrs. Dillon (Eva's mother), who used to babysit me there in Stonewall Manor, Vienna, VA, was married to a spy. Then again, I didnt know my grandfather was his best friend- I never new Paul Dillon Sr. The Dillons are like my family, as Eva's brothers are like uncles to me.
Im in awe of the depth Eva was able to go into this backstory, and I wish I was able to have had the same conversations to coax that information from my grandfather (George Walsh) before he passed.
Im in awe of the depth Eva was able to go into this backstory, and I wish I was able to have had the same conversations to coax that information from my grandfather (George Walsh) before he passed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews