The Spy Who Seduced America: Lies and Betrayal in the Heat of the Cold War: The Judith Coplon Story

This is a great book, true, well written, and at times hilarious. It completes the story of Judith Coplon, a story which had many of us guessing, and which was subject to political slanting by both liberals and conservatives. And, strangely, although the liberals were more graceful, it turns out that conservatives were right. The book illustrates the tragedy brought to an innocent and lovely family by the criminal actions of a brilliant and idealistic daughter. There are several interesting discussion possibilities that the book brings to the fore.

The fascinating and true case of Judith Coplon, who was arrested and charged with spying for the Russians against the US right after World War II, is a story which continued to unfold over a long period of time. For 18 years, the case was on hold, then dropped by Ramsey Clark, but interesting revelations have come forth quite recently. The Mitchells have done a masterful job of detailing this saga of love and betrayal, of guilt and innocence--some of the facts of this case still have powerful implications for today. This dramatic tale would make a wonderful film.

Great story! Even more surprising that it is all true. A surprise ending for those of us who didn't live through the era. A good read for anyone who finds interest in U.S. history, good and bad actions by the government, or just good story-telling.

This is an amazing story, well told. The fact that Judith Coplon managed to maintain her innocence through two trials (which were as much theater of the absurd as anything), remained out on bail for 17 years after the verdicts in both cases were thrown out, and then through the ensuing 33 years is simply amazing, when in truth, she WAS a spy for the Soviet Union. Perhaps not one of their big ones, and perhaps a spy who never passed along much information or even particularly secret or damaging information, but a spy nonetheless. Despite despicable behavior on the part of the U.S. gov't (arrest without a warrant, illegal wiretapping, practically double-indemnity, and a vicious prosecutor who displayed Judith's sex-life in public, etc.), they were right, but they couldn't prove it without revealing the most damning secret of all--that the U.S. had cracked the Soviet code. Not until the secret files of the Venona Project were opened up in the last couple of years could the truth be known, long after most participants in the case were dead. But Judith Coplon is still alive, and her husband, who all along believed in her innocence (and was the attorney who launched her successful appeals) was shocked upon hearing the information. It IS like a Hitchcock thriller. Highly recommended for anyone interested in spies, the Cold War, or the FBI. And strangely relevant to readers today, as well.

I don't know how this incredible story slipped through the cracks of history, but thank you to the Mitchells for recovering it! Reading this tale of covert (and criminal!) FBI action, of beautiful spies, and of hilarious lawyers, I can only wonder how long it will be until the movie comes out. Material this good doesn't come along too often!