This book explores the intriguing success of left-wing amateur intelligence workers who were recruited to the Soviet intelligence services from the United States, Britain, Europe, Australia and Canada from the 1930's to the 1950's.

The roots of conspiracy; the communist international and clandestine methods - the conspiratorial impulse; comintern's underground in Western military forces; underground in Asia; the 1930s - from the underground to espionage; a Trojan Horse within social democracy; fighting fascism through espionage.