The Defection of A.J. Lewinter cover art

The Defection of A.J. Lewinter

A Novel of Duplicity

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About this listen

Before there was The Company, Robert Littell made a name for himself with The Defection of A.J. Lewinter. Lewinter is an American scientist, for years an insignificant cog in America's complex defense machinery. While at an academic conference in Tokyo, Lewinter contacts the KGB station chief and says he wants to defect. He tantalizes the Russians with U.S. military secrets he claims to possess, but is his defection genuine? Neither the Russians nor the Americans are sure and Lewinter is swept up in a terrifying political chess match of deceit and treachery.

Each side struggles to anticipate its opponent's next move and the superpowers are locked in a deadly contest that exploits friendships, destroys loyalties, and manipulates human beings as expendable pawns.

©2003 Robert Littell (P)2003 Phoenix Books, Inc. Espionage International Mystery & Crime Mystery Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting

Critic reviews

"A perfect little gem, the best Cold War thriller I've read in years." (The New York Times)
"Concise, smart and funny, this novel turns Cold War spy cliches on their head." (Publishers Weekly)
"Littell deserves his comparisons with Deighton and le Carre." (The Times, London)
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