According to KGB archives; Pavel Sudoplatov directed the secretive Administration for Special Tasks. This department was responsible for kidnapping; assassination; sabotage; and guerrilla warfare during World War II; it also set up illegal networks in the United States and Western Europe; and; most crucially; carried out atomic espionage in the United States; Great Britain; and Canada. Sudoplatov served the KGB for over fifty years; at one point controlling more than twenty thousand guerrillas; moles; and spies. But his involvement with the most nefarious Soviet activities-- and the rulers who ordered them-- made Sudoplatov an unwanted witness; and he was arrested in 1953 after Beria's fall. Despite torture and solitary confinement he refused to "confess"; disavowing any criminal actions. He spent fifteen years in prison; then struggled two decades more for rehabilitation. "Special Tasks" is an astonishing memoir and a singular historical document of a man who knew and did too much for the Soviet empire.
#23767 in Books Brendan McDonough 2016-05-03 2016-05-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.00 x 6.25l; .0 #File Name: 0316308188288 pagesMy Lost Brothers The Untold Story by the Yarnell Hill Fire s Lone Survivor
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. and enjoyed reading on how he grew upBy VJMAs a resident of the Prescott AZ area; our hearts go out to the families of the 19 fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots heros every day; and to Brendan every day. Brendan is also a hero. It is a miracle that he survived. I found his book well written; and enjoyed reading on how he grew up; then his troubled ways; and how he overcame his shortcomings with the help of his fellow brother Hotshots. His accounts of the Yarnell firestorm allow us to imagine in our minds just what happened the day of the tragedy; and the preceding days leading up to the tragedy. And also to learn just how much training (and pain and exhaustion) all Hotshots go through; and just how brave they are to fight any fire to save our lives and our property.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. McDonough’s Story Resonated with MeBy E JensenI finished reading “My Lost Brothers†this evening. It’s a memoir from Brendan ‘Donut’ McDonough of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots. Of the three books I’ve read about Yarnell Hill; this one is by far the best. It’s personal and should be appreciated critically; but it also speaks to the firefighter in me. The two other books; one of which I couldn’t finish; didn’t resonate that way.McDonough’s honest writing about depression; his love for his daughter; grief; and his hotshot Brothers was both refreshing and exhausting. He is a brave man and our craft is better because he continues to act on behalf of all his brothers and sisters in the fire service.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Troubled enlightenmentBy Scott B. WilliamsThis was a fast read and mentally draining; after working 35 years in EMS career. I can not being to imagine this young mans burden. And it kills me to think of it ..A must read lessons learned book for wildland fire fighters to study
