Deep Undercover: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America
This is the story of Jack Barsky, the autiobiography of a KGB agent living in America under an entirely false name and background. Whether you already heard about this man from the CBS 60 Minutes special in 2015 or, like me, became aware of this remarkable story after seeing the book Deep Undercover, you will be thrilled by this story. From the first chapter, I was an eager audience to this unique life story. My desires to finish reading the book in order to see how the tale culminated battled with my wish for the book to never end. I truly, truly enjoyed reading this lengthy autobiography. Not once was I bored, and I can say that in all honesty! I am sure most readers will agree with me. Who isn't intrigued by the subject: a KGB agent living in the United States under a false identity....? I promise you will not be disappointed by the story. Of course I absolutely loved how the importance and victory of salvation is emphasized near the end of the book. A honest witness of what salvation does to an individual was presented in this autobiography. On that topic, I didn't agree with every Christian view in this book but it is up to the reader to discern for himself. One thing which should bother Christians is the statement made by Jack Barsky's spiritual mentor (and later something more important) Shawna before he became a Christian. She told him, after observing how other-centered he was that he was ''already a Christian and just didn't know it''. According to Scripture that is wrong. John 14:6 states ''Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'' Jack Barsky didn't have anything to do with Jesus at that point so there is no way he was a Christian. However, what is true is that although Jack wasn't a Christian at that moment as Shawna said, he WAS chosen by God, elect; so I think maybe that is what Shawna meant. What was encouraging was Jack's story of conversion. He read and listened to the Bible, attended church, showed interest and accepted the prayers of the pastors...and later one day by himself out on the golf field God revealed Himself to Jack! That sounds like a very true and Biblical conversion. I loved the obvious change between Jack Barsky as a non-believer and him now as a child of God. For example, although an extremely good spy, the man had a history of failed relationships/marriages with women besides having the beliefs and mindset which were ingrained in him as a youth growing up in communist and anti-Christian East Germany! Compare that to the redeemed Jack Barsky who sought to establish relationships with his scattered children and who was honest about his past... I was pleased with how the comparison was emphasized. This book is great for both men and women as well teenagers both girls and boys!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
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