Spies and Commissars

Spies and Commissars examines the tumultuous period between 1917-1924, when Western powers and the new Bolshevik regime engaged in espionage, diplomacy, and propaganda battles. Service chronicles the complex web of agents, diplomats, journalists and revolutionaries operating in Russia during this pivotal time. The book focuses on key figures from both sides - Western intelligence officers and diplomats alongside Soviet leaders and their networks of informants. Through official documents, personal papers, and intelligence reports, Service reconstructs the dangerous games of cat-and-mouse between these opposing forces. The narrative tracks parallel stories of spycraft and statecraft, from covert operations in European capitals to diplomatic negotiations between the Soviets and Western governments. Service pays particular attention to the role of journalists and writers who moved between these worlds as observers and sometimes as active participants. This work reveals the origins of modern espionage and propaganda while exploring larger questions about ideology, power, and the relationship between revolutionaries and the established order they seek to overthrow. The book demonstrates how the techniques and tensions of this era shaped international relations throughout the 20th century.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and primary sources that illuminate the complex relationships between Western powers and early Soviet Russia. Many note the book excels at portraying key figures like Arthur Ransome and Somerset Maugham in their lesser-known roles as spies. Common criticisms focus on the scattered narrative structure, with several readers noting it jumps between too many characters and events without a clear throughline. Some found the writing style dry and academic. "The individual stories are fascinating but it needs better organization" notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple readers mentioned confusion keeping track of the large cast of characters. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Most impactful reviews highlight the book's success in revealing the chaotic nature of post-revolutionary Russia and the web of international espionage, while suggesting it works better as a reference text than a narrative history.

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🔍 Author Robert Service is one of the world's foremost scholars on Russian history and has written biographies of Lenin, Stalin, and Trotsky 🌍 The book reveals how both Western powers and the Bolsheviks used elaborate networks of spies and double agents to gather intelligence during the early years of Soviet Russia 📜 Many of the diplomatic cables and intelligence reports featured in the book remained classified until the end of the Cold War, providing fresh insights into this turbulent period 🕵️ The notorious Sidney Reilly, known as the "Ace of Spies," features prominently in the book's narrative - he worked for British intelligence while maintaining multiple identities and romantic entanglements 🎭 Several prominent writers and artists served as spies or informants during this period, including Somerset Maugham, who worked for British intelligence while posing as a traveling author