Yet, <enttype='PERSON'>Vlasov</ent> is quite correct that the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> has retained its power
and privileged postion in the <enttype='GPE'>USSR</ent>.
The organization that is now the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> has undergone a
number of reorganizations and name changes since the inception of
the <enttype='ORG'>Cheka</ent> on December 7 (or 20), 1917. Although the organization
was supposed to be temporary, the <enttype='ORG'>Cheka</ent> and its successors (the
<enttype='ORG'>GPU</ent>, O<enttype='ORG'>GPU</ent>, <enttype='ORG'>GUGB</ent>, NKVD, N<enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent>, <enttype='ORG'>MGB</ent>, and now the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent>) have remained
a key element in the administration of internal and external
policies of the <enttype='GPE'>USSR</ent>. Interestingly, members of the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> still
call themselves <enttype='ORG'>Chekists</ent> in recognition of a hallowed tradition.
Despite the widespread public recognition of the
organization's existence, few, even in the <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> field,
comprehend the full role of the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> in <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> society. Most
frequently the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> is compared to the <enttype='NORP'>American</ent> Central
Intelligence Agency (<enttype='ORG'>CIA</ent>). However, the scope of activities
carried out by the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> include the functions that are carried out
<p><enttype='PERSON'>Barron</ent>, an editor at Reader's Digest, has written a number
of articles and books on the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent>. He has benefitted enormously
from <enttype='ORG'>CIA</ent> cooperation on his books. His access to government
officials and documents, and a number of <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> defectors, has
allowed him to put together two of the best-selling works ever on
the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> (his previous work was <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> published in 1974 by Reader's
Digest).
Aside from providing a wealth of information, <enttype='PERSON'>Barron</ent>
writes in a style that is to easy read. He dosen't get too
technical for the non-specialist or place footnotes everywhere.
For this work, <enttype='PERSON'>Barron</ent> worked extensively with Stanislav
<enttype='PERSON'>Levchenko</ent>, a former <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> Major who defected while on operational
assignment in <enttype='GPE'>Japan</ent> in the late 1970's (<enttype='PERSON'>Levchenko</ent> has also been
involved in two other works that will be discussed further on). </p>
<p><enttype='PERSON'>Corson</ent>, William R. and <enttype='PERSON'>Robert</ent> T. <enttype='PERSON'>Crowley</ent>. The New <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent>. <enttype='GPE'>New York</ent>:
<enttype='PERSON'>William Morrow</ent> and Company, Inc., 1985. Contains index and
photographs. 560 pp.</p>
<p> Both authors are retired <enttype='NORP'>American</ent> intelligence officers.
This work is a very well researched piece which covers many
different periods of <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> state security.
The objective of the work is to present the reader a
"fresh way of looking at the current operations and global
strategies of the new <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent>." The authors argue that the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> has
taken on a more active role in <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> government and has
increased its dominance in <enttype='ORG'>the Communist Party</ent> of the <enttype='GPE'>USSR</ent>. </p>
<p><enttype='PERSON'>Dzhirkvelov</ent>, Ilya. Secret Servant. <enttype='GPE'>New York</ent>: Harper & Row,
Publishers, 1987. 398 pp. Contains index. </p>
<p> A fascinating account by a former member of the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> who
defected to the <enttype='LOC'>West</ent> in 1980. <enttype='PERSON'>Dzhirkvelov</ent>, who participated in
many "direct action" operations, is particularly interesting
because he defected for personal reasons and remains unrepentant
for many of his activities. He is still an admirer of Joseph
Stalin, for example, and some of the extermination operations he
participated in against nationalist minorities in the <enttype='GPE'>USSR</ent> after
WWII. A very unusual autobiography. </p>
<p><enttype='PERSON'>Dziak</ent>, <enttype='PERSON'>John</ent> J. Chekisty. <enttype='GPE'>Lexington</ent>, MA: <enttype='GPE'>Lexington</ent> Books, 1988.
234 pp. Contains index. </p>
<p> A very well written historical account by a senior
intelligence official with <enttype='ORG'>the Defense Intelligence Agency</ent> (<enttype='ORG'>DIA</ent>).
The extensive documentation, frequently using <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> materials,
is invaluable. The bibliography is also quite useful.
This hard-hitting work has many classic quotes and
comments including the infamous comment on the <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> secret
police by <enttype='PERSON'>Felix Dzerzhinski</ent>, its founder: "We represent in
ourselves organized terror --- this must be said very clearly..."
(interview with B. <enttype='EVENT'>Rossov</ent>, "From Our <enttype='GPE'>Moscow</ent> Correspondent,"
<enttype='PERSON'>Novaya Zhizhin</ent>,' June 9, 1918, p. 4). Highly recommended work. </p>
exteremely sensitive positions in the <enttype='NORP'>Romanian</ent> Securitate. One of
his duties included directing the personal security of <enttype='NORP'>Romanian</ent>
President <enttype='PERSON'>Nicolae Ceusescu</ent>. His defection accelerated a massive
purge being conducted in the <enttype='NORP'>Romanian</ent> Communist Party by
President <enttype='PERSON'>Ceusescu</ent>. <enttype='ORG'>Pacepa</ent> was debriefed by the <enttype='ORG'>CIA</ent> on a full-time basis for three years following his defection.
His remarks on the turbulent <enttype='NORP'>Romanian</ent>-<enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> relationship
and <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> control mechanisms over <enttype='ORG'>Warsaw Pact</ent> allies are
insightful.
<enttype='ORG'>Richelson</ent>, Jeffrey T. Sword and Shield. <enttype='GPE'>Cambridge</ent>, MA: Ballinger
Publishing Co., 1986. 279 pp.</p>
<p> The author, a professor from the <enttype='GPE'>Washington</ent> DC area, has
written a number of works on intelligence matters.
Compared to some of the other works available on the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent>,
this work has pretty shallow research behind it. In a number of
areas, up to 20 footnotes will be taken up using only two, maybe
three different sources. Non-specialists may, however, find the
work an easier read than some of the more thoroughly researched
books. </p>
<p><enttype='PERSON'>Rocca</ent>, Raymond G. and <enttype='PERSON'>John</ent> J. <enttype='PERSON'>Dziak</ent>. Bibliography of <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent>
Intelligence and Security Services. Boulder, CO: <enttype='LOC'>West</ent>view
Press, 1985. 203 pp. With index. </p>
<p> An indispensible tool for researching the <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> and its
cousins. The work covers other bibliographies, <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> accounts,
Defector/First Hand accounts, <enttype='ORG'>Second Hand</ent> accounts, and
government materials. This is another "must have" work. </p>
<p><enttype='GPE'>Rommerstein</ent>, <enttype='PERSON'>Herbert</ent> and <enttype='PERSON'>Stanislav Levchenko</ent>. The <enttype='ORG'>KGB</ent> Against
Main Enemy. <enttype='GPE'>Lexington</ent>, MA: <enttype='GPE'>Lexington</ent> Books, 1989. 369 pp.
With index.
<enttype='GPE'>Rommerstein</ent> was recently director of <enttype='ORG'>the Office</ent> to Counter
<enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> Active Measures and Disinformation at the US Information
Agency. This work, by two intelligence professionals, traces the
history of <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> intelligence operations against the Glavny
Vrag, or Main Enemy, as the US is called in <enttype='NORP'>Soviet</ent> intelligence
literature.
The work covers both old and new ground. The authors were
able to successfully dig up some new information on past events
through <enttype='ORG'>the Freedom</ent> of Information Act. The book also includes
material on events in the late 1980's.
<enttype='PERSON'>Sharansky</ent>, <enttype='PERSON'>Natan</ent> (Anatoly). Fear No Evil. <enttype='GPE'>New York</ent>: Random House,
1988. 437 pp. Contains index and photographs. </p>
<p> This is the memior from one of the most well-known of the
