Nonfiction: An Impeccable Spy by Owen Matthews

The full title of today's book is An Impeccable Spy: Richard Sorge, Stalin's Master Agent by Owen Matthews. I figured what better way to learn more about the Soviet Union and Japan, and the parts they played during the events of World War II, than through the actions of one of the greatest spies in history.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that follows the life and career of Richard Sorge, a man who successfully served Soviet Russia as a spy for over 20 years, with arguably his most well-known work being done in the early 1940's, when he was able to provide the Soviet Union with information regarding Hitler's plan to attack. He would later be able to assure the Soviet Union that Japan was not planning to attack, but instead concentrate their efforts elsewhere. Born to a German father and a Russian mother, Sorge would occupy a somewhat dual nature for his entire life. After experiencing a sort of disillusionment following his service in the German Army during World War I, Sorge became a communist, and eventually relocated to Russia. Using his confidence and intelligence, as well as his love of alcohol and women, Sorge would organize and run one of the greatest spy rings in history, managing to gather information on the inner workings of both Germany and Japan, while living in the latter. But the book does more than simply follow the life of Sorge, as a thorough and detailed picture is also painted of the tricky relationship between Germany, Russia, and Japan throughout the second World War.  

My Verdict: Much like with The Age of Disenchantments, if I am going to read about a major event in our history, I would prefer to do so by following the dramatic life of someone who not only lived through it, but had a hand in how it all went down. There have already been many books that have explored the life of Richard Sorge, and of course, many more about World War II. And while he proved to be an interesting subject, I found myself more drawn to the relationship between Germany, Russia, and Japan than I did the inner workings of the spy ring. With so many names being tossed around, and with so man shifting alliances and hidden agendas, it was easy for me to lose track of who fit where. But such is the nature of war I suppose. Well-known events were presented in a new way, and from a different angle (at least for those of us in the U.S.), allowing readers a view from closer to the action, though not from the front lines. Sorge put his own life in danger every day, but as a gatherer of information as opposed to as a soldier. Readers who enjoy learning about international conflicts will enjoy this book, as well as readers who enjoy a good spy thriller.

Favorite Moment: When Clausen, Sorge's radio man, begins to intentionally sabotage his own transmissions as he becomes more unsatisfied with communism.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Age of Disenchantments by Aaron Shulman, and also A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.