The Lenin Plot

Barnes Carr's "The Lenin Plot" uncovers a largely forgotten chapter of American history, examining the United States' covert intervention in Russia during the tumultuous period following the Bolshevik Revolution. The book focuses on the secretive efforts of American intelligence operatives working in Moscow between 1918 and 1919, a time when the new Soviet government was fighting for survival against both internal opposition and foreign intervention. Through meticulous research and compelling narrative, Carr brings to light the dangerous game of espionage, political intrigue, and assassination plots that characterized this little-known aspect of American-Russian relations.

The central narrative revolves around the activities of American agents, including diplomat DeWitt Clinton Poole and master spy Xenophon Kalamatiano, who operated in Moscow under the direction of the U.S. government. These men, along with other operatives, were tasked with gathering intelligence and potentially destabilizing the Bolshevik regime. The book reveals how American officials, deeply concerned about the spread of communism and Russia's withdrawal from World War I, authorized clandestine operations that went far beyond mere information gathering. The story encompasses actual assassination plots targeting Lenin himself, schemes that came remarkably close to fruition.

Carr demonstrates considerable skill in reconstructing these events from archival materials, diplomatic correspondence, and intelligence reports that remained classified for decades. The author's background in journalism serves him well, as he weaves together multiple storylines involving various American, British, and Russian participants in this covert war. The book illuminates how these operations were connected to the broader Allied intervention in Russia, which saw troops from multiple nations, including the United States, deployed to Russian territory ostensibly to protect military supplies but also to support anti-Bolshevik forces.

One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of the complex motivations driving American policy toward Russia during this period. Carr explores how fear of Bolshevism, combined with strategic concerns about Germany's eastern front, led American leaders to pursue increasingly aggressive covert action. The narrative reveals the tensions between official diplomatic channels and the shadow world of intelligence operations, showing how these sometimes worked at cross-purposes. The author also examines the role of individual personalities and their influence on policy decisions during this chaotic period.

The book provides detailed accounts of the surveillance networks established by American agents in Moscow, the recruitment of Russian sources, and the constant danger these operatives faced from the Cheka, the Bolshevik secret police. Carr brings particular attention to the cat-and-mouse game between American spies and their Soviet counterparts, describing arrests, interrogations, and the eventual crackdown that led to the exposure of the American intelligence network. The fate of agent Kalamatiano, who was captured and imprisoned by the Soviets, receives extensive coverage and serves as a dramatic illustration of the risks involved in these operations.

Carr's research extends to the diplomatic fallout from these covert activities and their long-term impact on American-Soviet relations. The book argues that these early intelligence operations set patterns of mistrust and hostility that would characterize the relationship between the two nations for decades to come. The author traces how knowledge of American plotting against the Bolshevik government reinforced Soviet paranoia about Western intentions and contributed to the isolation and siege mentality that defined early Soviet foreign policy.

The narrative style remains accessible throughout, making complex political and military situations understandable without oversimplification. Carr balances the need for historical accuracy with the desire to create an engaging story, though occasionally the pacing slows when dealing with intricate details of bureaucratic decision-making or intelligence tradecraft. The book includes sufficient context about the Russian Revolution and World War I to orient readers who may not be deeply familiar with this period.

"The Lenin Plot" makes a significant contribution to the historical record by documenting American actions in Russia that have received relatively little attention in popular histories of the period. The book challenges simplified narratives about American foreign policy and reveals the extent to which covert action was employed even in this early era of American intelligence work. For readers interested in espionage history, early Soviet-American relations, or the Russian Revolution's international dimensions, this work offers valuable insights drawn from previously obscure or classified sources. Carr has produced a thoroughly researched and readable account of a remarkable historical episode that deserves wider recognition.