THE SWORD AND THE SHIELD The Mitrokhin Archive and the Secret History of the KGB

Since this audiobook consists of "forbidden fruit" gleaned from secret Russian KGB files, the narrator's taciturn, sometimes whispering voice was well chosen to remind listeners they're hearing of stealth. Charles Stransky pronounces the plethora of Russian names with ease but has no Russian accent. There is no drama in this production, an interesting chronicle of famous events and how agents and double agents affected them. Because the details become a little pedantic at times, the publisher's choice to offer this abridgment allows casual historians to enjoy a six-hour sampler of a challenging work. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]