Join us for a discussion of Redwood:The Untold Story of the Cold War’s Most Extraordinary Spy by Ben Macintyre, a gripping true story of espionage, betrayal, and the dangerous game of intelligence during the Cold War. Set against the turmoil of post-revolutionary Iran, the book follows KGB Major Vladimir Kuzichkin, a Soviet intelligence officer who secretly turns to Britain’s MI6, and the young British officer tasked with bringing him and his vital intelligence to safety. As the KGB and Iranian intelligence close in, Kuzichkin’s defection threatens to ignite an international crisis with consequences reaching all the way to the possibility of nuclear war. Drawing on newly revealed archival material and interviews with those involved, Macintyre reconstructs a remarkable story of courage, loyalty, friendship, and deception, exploring the human stakes behind one of the Cold War’s most consequential spy operations—and the extraordinary decisions that helped shape the world we live in today.

The Susan and John Klein Book Series is a public series presented by the Aspen Society at the Aspen Institute’s Washington, D.C. headquarter offices. Focusing on topics aligned with the Institute’s mission and values, the series brings together distinguished authors to discuss their latest works, inspiring dialogue, leadership, and action on society’s greatest challenges. The Aspen Institute is grateful to Susan and John Klein for their generous support of this series.