Torpedoed: An American Businessman's True Story of Secrets, Betrayal, Imprisonment in Russia, and the Battle to [Hardcover]

Edmond D. Pope (Author), Tom Shactman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2001

He was a man of mystery: Edmond D. Pope -- former Naval Intelligence officer, then private businessman, in Russia looking for some answers.

It was a top secret operation: The CIA and the Canadian secret service -- out to steal one of Russia's crown jewels: the plans to a submarine torpedo that travels an astonishing 300 miles per hour.

He was the new man in charge: Vladimir Putin -- former head of the KGB, now boss of all Russia and a man who wanted to set an example at almost any cost.

Now, for the first time ever, Ed Pope tells the real story of what led to his becoming the first American since Gary Powers to be convicted of espionage in Russia. Combining a gripping account of his arrest, trial and 253-day imprisonment with a deeply disturbing look at today's Russia, Pope's harrowing story reads like a Le Carre novel come to life. And with a large dollop of espionage-insider information and secret submarine warfare technology, Ed Pope's harrowing memoir will remind readers of the best of Tom Clancy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Traveling in the former Soviet Union as a private contractor buying declassified technology that made its way from the military into Russia's newly freed consumer markets Pope trips into the nightmarish world of post-Cold War Russia. Written with Tom Shactman (The FBI-KGB War; Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold), this volume moves as quickly as its name suggests, at least initially: Pope, a former U.S. naval attach‚ and intelligence officer, gets thrown in prison within the first few pages. Accused of spying for the United States, he suffers indignities (strip searches, "mind games") and intimidation (he's told he belongs with terrorists and "serious criminals") from the new state security guards. The indictment stems from his interest in the country's "sensitive" Shkval torpedo, but what worries Pope the most once he's officially charged with espionage is his memory of "126 special clearances on matters of high importance to the security of the United States." After all, he writes, the interrogations are intense and "you don't just scrub [what you know] from your memory." Pope's fight for freedom is hampered by the questionable justice of the Russian legal system and a frustrating lack of support from the U.S. Embassy, and the book appropriately though unfortunately begins to drag once his days in jail stretch into months. Readers may find Pope's portraits of the new Russians too tiredly reminiscent of the old guard, and the degrading nicknames he uses to designate his interrogators (Little Feliks, Blubber-Butt, etc.) undermine the seriousness of his situation. But overall, this is a page-turner, a great spy story that nearly encourages nostalgia for Cold War spy politics. (Nov.)Forecast: Pope's refusal to grant any interviews since his December 2000 release will likely create intrigue, and his striking story will probably appeal to conspiracy theorists, Cold War history buffs, and James Bond fans alike.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

A former naval intelligence officer turned businessman, Pope spent 253 days in a Moscow prison cell accused of trying to steal secrets from the Russians about their submarine technology. He was released only after being convicted and sentenced to 20 years, whereupon the new Russian president, Vladimir Putin, commuted his sentence and sent him home in December 2000. Here is Pope's detailed account of his months of interrogation and harassment while his health steadily declined. He proclaims his innocence, yet readers may wonder why the State Department was so slow to come to his aid. Only through pressure from his wife and from his local Pennsylvania congressman was the U.S. government inclined to try to save Pope from decades in prison. This is a harrowing tale set within the context of great-power politics at the onset of the new century. Pope is understandably bitter about what happened to him, but one suspects that there is more to his story than he is telling. Nevertheless, this book will send chills down one's spine. Recommended for large public and academic libraries. Ed Goedeken, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (November 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316348732
• ISBN-13: 978-0316348737
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,873,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by LCDR Terry Wilton (USN, Ret.), November 4, 2001

By 

Terry L. Wilton (Waldorf, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Torpedoed: An American Businessman's True Story of Secrets, Betrayal, Imprisonment in Russia, and the Battle to (Hardcover)

A very well-written, no-holds-barred account of Ed Pope's ordeal in today's Russia. This book makes it clear that the Russian government still continues many of the more odious Soviet practices, especially when it comes to their paranoia about foreigners and the treatment of accused defendants. Ed Pope and Tom Schactman give numerous insights into today's Russian system of "justice," making it clear that having no hard evidence against a defendant (whether a foreigner or a Russian) is not a problem for the prosecution, when it is backed by the FSB and the courts. This should make Western businessmen who have any dealings with Russian military or industrial institutions have second thoughts. As a former naval intelligence officer myself, I would rate this as a five-star book that should be read by all intelligence professionals, as well as all those who would do business in today's Russia. Terry Wilton, LCDR USN (Ret.).

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and informative, November 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Torpedoed: An American Businessman's True Story of Secrets, Betrayal, Imprisonment in Russia, and the Battle to (Hardcover)

A truly great account of a tragic life experience. Very well written and captivating. (no pun intended) After following Mr. Pope's ordeal in the news, this puts the pieces togeather for an insiders view of the incident. After reading and understanding more what happened, this book should be required reading for anyone foolish enough to consider trading with the "new Russia". A great story, too bad the human toll was so great to get it.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Torpedoed, October 30, 2001

By 

Eugene Cabana (Plymouth, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Torpedoed: An American Businessman's True Story of Secrets, Betrayal, Imprisonment in Russia, and the Battle to (Hardcover)

This ultimate publication, "Torpedoed" is a true life story of Ed Pope, that is very well written and will be a classic for people who are most anxious to read and learn about Ed's 235-day of imprisonment. This book is informative, adventurous and is most note worthly for Ed's many dedicated years as a Naval Intel Officer, that will be of great interest to young Americans, who are seriously considering a future as a Naval Officer or military career.