Book Review 7 – The Liar: How a Double Agent in the CIA Became the Cold War’s Last Honest Man by Benjamin Cunningham

The Liar: How a Double Agent in the CIA Became the Cold War’s Last Honest Man by Benjamin Cunningham

Published: 2022
Pages: 320
Format: ebook loan from library
Read: February 4 – February 7, 2023
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59786862-the-liar

 
I wasn’t familiar with Karel Koecher, a Czechoslovakian Stasi agent during the cold war.  Although Cunningham found Karel a sympathetic and honest man, I didn’t come to that same conclusion.  I found Karel very arrogant, greedy, and duplicitous.
 
Koecher was a very intelligent man who wanted to change the world.  He more or less reluctantly became a Stasi agent because there wasn’t any other opportunities for him.  The Soviets were the puppet masters behind the Czech Stasi.   As part of the Soviets growing illegals program in the United States, Koecher and his wife settled into Brooklyn where they lived a crazy life.  
 
While in NY, the Koecher’s lived the high-life, partying in Manhattan.  When I say partying, I mean partying…they were cocaine addicts who lived the swinging lifestyle.  Their arrogance and undisciplined lifestyle as well as spying for both sides, finally caught up to them and eventually the FBI and the KGB were after them. 
 
It was interesting story and one I had not heard of but I found it hard to have any sympathy for the Koecher’s.
 
The Liar  3 Stars