
Aquarium
by Viktor Suvorov · first published 1985
5mentions
3recommended by
5HN commenters
2014–2024first – last mentioned
60% recommend40% neutral
"We have a very simple rule. It's a rouble to get in, but two to get out." Thus begins the extraordinary chronicle of Viktor Suvorov's early preferment within the Soviet Army which brought him to Vienna as a spy in military intelligence and ended in his defection to the West. Suvorov's path into espionage was a long one, and not one he chose for himself. Throughout this astonishing record of life on the General Staff of the Soviet Army, to which Suvorov was promoted after ordering his tank company to break out of the tank park by demolishing a wall, and within the elite units of sabotage tr
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Aquarium by Viktor Suvorov. The "Aquarium" of the title is the nickname given to GRU headquarters in Moscow by those who work there. "What sort of fish are there swimming there?" asks Suvorov of his boss when…
on “Ask HN: What are the best unknown books you have read?” ↗Yeah, Viktor Suvorov is pretty interesting writer. This guy was a KGB agent who escaped to the West and published a lot of books. Another his book worth checking out is "Aquarium" - about his path from a spetznaz operator to KGB and then to escape.
on “Inside the Soviet Army (1982)” ↗Victor Suvorov wrote about GRU illegals 40 years ago in Aquarium. For all the shade thrown at his writing since, it sure has aged well. Here we are with bombings, poisonings, corruption and GRU agents creeping around in Europe today. He wrote that the traditional…
on “Husband and wife outed as GRU spies aiding bombings and poisonings across Europe” ↗The original idea of nudging a vote this way was brought to my attention in a book by Viktor Suvorov (it was either Aquarium or The Liberators). Some communist asshole wanted his nephew or something hired for some government position. He made the mistake of doing a vote by asking "all in favor?" because no-one raised their…
on “We Don't Do Daily Stand-Ups at Supercede” ↗Spetsnaz - Victor Suvorov Aquarium - Victor Suvorov There is a strong possibility he romanticizes or makes a lot of things up though. Some of the things he wrote did turn out to be true.
on “Useful Spy Books” ↗