The Spy Who Changed History

Book Report:  "The Spy Who Changed History"

by Svetlana Lokova

"A superbly researched and groundbreaking account of Soviet espionage in the thirties"  The Daily Telegraph.

This is worth your attention.  We are more security conscious these days.  The Soviets found themselves behind the curve as WWII loomed on the horizon in the Thirties.  They needed single wing, speedy, maneuverable fighters and large bombers but did not have the where-with-all to create or develop them.

The solution was to enroll their bright students in The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston to learn engineering and English in order to steal plans and ideas for their country men.  They attended MIT and other institutions of learning, and achieved employment in the US aircraft industry where they could complete their assignments.  They obtained guided tours at the major factories, bought aircraft, reversed engineered the aircraft so that they could build them for themselves. They even shipped the espionage materials to Moscow in aircraft purchased from US companies.  

When rumors of the THE BOMB being developed came out in the thirties, some of their people got jobs in the Manhattan project and shipped home the information.  This particular espionage hastened the Cold War in the 50's.

Ms. Lokova names places and people and specifics with documentation.  Who was the spy who changed history.  It was Stanislav Shumovsky who went to MIT and was instrumental is bringing others there.  He worked with the CPUSA, (Communist Party USA)  He gave much leadership and direction to the whole process.  I recognized at least one name (Fuchs) of whom I was aware as a spy in the Manhattan Project.