The Mission: CIA in the Balkans [Paperback]

Ronald Estes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2003

Ivan Kolev claws an opening under a barbed wire fence in a driving rain and escapes from Communist Bulgaria to Greece, and into a Greek Army ambush.Kolevs freedom is short-lived. After weeks of interrogation, the CIA recruits him to return to Bulgaria clandestinely on an espionage mission.He trains physically for months in the rugged mountains of northern Greece shepherded by a tough Greek, a former guerilla fighter. Then, when proficient in the use of a pistol, map, compass and camera, he is dispatched by the CIA to Bulgaria.Enter the world of Cold War espionage as Kolev voluntarily surrenders to the Bulgarian Intelligence Service and agrees to become a double agent, a decision that exposes him to violence and the risk of death, and one that changes his life forever.The Mission also portrays the rarely told story of the reality of life in the CIAs clandestine service; the dangers its operations officers face and the impact on their personal lives.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ronald E. Estes, a native Virginian armed with three years in the Marine Corps and a degree in Sociology, served twenty-five years in the CIAs Directorate of Operations. He lived the type of missions depicted in this book. He now lives in St. Augustine, Florida.

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (August 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059528079X
• ISBN-13: 978-0595280797
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,654,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars riveting, October 1, 2007

By 

jazzy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mission: CIA in the Balkans (Hardcover)

The Mission: CIA in the Balkans is an illuminating glimpse into the nitty-gritty of actual espionage. R.E. Estes finds that it's more about compromise and playing the game, than it is baccarat and supervillains. The training sequences are particularly well-drawn. For another smart thriller set in the Balkans, check out James Macomber's A Grave Breach.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A neat insight into the work of a CIA agent, July 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mission: CIA in the Balkans (Hardcover)

This book is a very different kind of novel. It doesn't have the blood and guts of most spy novels, but instead has a look at the true "intelligence" side of a covert CIA agent and his actions. I found the way they trained the Bulgarian, and what they used to uncover the "real story" of his subsequent actions absolutely fascinating. It also gives an insight into the life of CIA agents themselves. This book is a quick read - it'll sure hold your attention.