Importance of Oleg Gordievsky

Macintyre portrays Oleg Gordievsky as a symbol of courage and strength throughout the book, a man who battles extreme powers to bring justice to Russia. Gordievsky betrays one of the most powerful and corrupt government agencies in history, and Macintyre regards his ability to follow through on his internal values as admirable and courageous. Gordievsky sacrificed his personal relationships to spy for the British, and Macintyre explains this is thanks to his inherent desire to help the world.