Moscow Rules

This is an excellent novel set in the late stage of the Cold War. It essentially paints a very plausible scenario (that turned out wrong, as it happens) of how the old USSR might have changed governmental systems.The novel is centered around a Soviet GRU agent stationed in the United States ("Sasha"). Sasha has an agenda, even as he becomes a competent agent working for the Soviet regime as an intelligence officer in the United States. The novel crackles with authenticity. Moss plainly did his homework, and draws heavily on other works including the well-known "Inside the GRU" by Victor Suvorov. The writing is excellent, the storyline moves briskly, and the key characters have depth and plausibility. This is one of my favorite spy novels and remains so, even if it is the case that the old USSR imploded under a scenario somewhat different than that set forth here. Moss's speculation along these lines was intelligent and insightful, and better than most. Overall, a great read and an intelligent look at international espionage in the context of the bad old days of the Cold War.

Great book, it is not often that an author can come up with such a comprehensive book as this on his first try. This had it all, a great story, good characters, wonderful action and a quick pace. This is an exciting book. It really made me happy reading the book; it was like a great game of treasure hunt where you find everything. Each time I was ready for a plot twist, action of drama it was there. The characters just explode in your memory - you do not get them out of your head. Overall great effort.

Never before have I read a spy novel with such political and human depth. The themes and ideas are universal, and celebrate the triumphant spirit of mankind, that makes freedom always triumph over tyranny. I wrote down quotes from the book and have kept them forever. A must read for all lovers of intrigue, about events that could have come to pass, if it had not been for the foresight of Mikhail Gorbachev. Of course all the other elements of a successful spy novel are there: adventure, intrigue, action and excitement .

One inaccuracy that I caught in this book (stating that hashish comes from poppies in Afghanistan) made me wonder what other inaccuracies existed in this book. Despite that, this is an entertaining tale that has proved to be decided prescient in what good and bad could come from a liberalized leadership in USSR. The book used a military coup rather than political change to get this change, but the rest is right on.

Never before have I read a spy novel with such political and human depth.The themes and ideas are universal and celebrate the triumphant spirit of mankind that makes freedom always triumph over tyranny.I wrote down quotes from the book and have kept them forever.A must for all lovers of intrigue about events that could have come to pass if it had not been for the foresight of Mikhail Gorbachev.Of course all the other elements of a succesful spy novel are there:adventure,intrigue,action and excitement