The Spy's Son

In 1997, Jim Nicholson became the highest-ranking CIA officer ever convicted of espionage. Undeterred by his incarceration in federal prison, Nicholson recruited his son to smuggle messages out of the visiting room to a Russian spy.
At the launch of his new book, investigative reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist Bryan Denson offers the authoritative account of how Nicholson twice betrayed his country.
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[@rocketman48]

i travelled all the way from Ireland to Washington to visit the Spy Museum and space Museum.

[@mortalclown3812]

The human cost of spying is the one, in the end, that gets to me the most. I think these things will be what these guys see on their death beds.

[@davidnolte3240]

! - oooi. iyyuyuZ ccZcz vVS. z. bb. NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNQ

[@philbyd]

Good presentation,quite a story,thanks for posting

[@edkokosko1759]

Great job 👏

[@tatianalyulkin410]

Excuse me, but how is turning your son into an asset and putting his life in danger LOVE?

[@smith899]

That was my first thought! I could understand if the dad believed he was doing something righteous, like our forefathers did when they committed treason against King George and formed the USA. But, nothing like that was ever mentioned.

[@glairliquid5103]

Well, his son was heavily injured during an airborne mission, US army didnt pay good money for this. And in case you dont know, living cost money, especially when you need to pay med bill. Obviously, his dad cant just show up and help his son. And you know the rest.

[@pr-ji1ni]

I stopped watching this mid-video. Not because it's boring - quite the opposite. It made me buy the book. I just downloaded it to my tablet, and I'll come back and watch the rest after I've read it. Thanks!

[@greendragon4058]

I absolutely loved this book The Van Story is amazing

[@conor2439]

'Last Asset' would have been a pretty killer title

[@seandivarco8641]

Very interesting

[@daniellartey7898]

Nicholson might have an inner wish for the son to emulate him overlooking the 'danger' that might befall his son.

[@anng.4542]

Or maybe hoping for more big-money payouts.

[@gerberjoanne266]

I don't understand why Jim Nicholson didn't think that people (including the CIA itself) would wonder how he had so much money so suddenly?

[@pablochampagne525]

Little bit late reaction... But Jim SOLD information... So clearly it wasnt a primary ideological motivation. What can make someone think... Why arent top operatives not paid millions? They have a hand in things that concerns the whole nations security things of real importance.... While people that throw or kick a ball around (yes they are skilled in it) or rhyme on a tune get showered in millions and get adored. Now for a spy to be adored is not desireable... But the state could fill the pockets of these men so they arent seduced to SELL valuable information.

[@zanie4343]

Because of his chronic narcissism, he thought he was smarter than everyone else.

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

@@pablochampagne525 Pablo, I think that's a good-ish question but there are two pretty likely answers to why "top operatives" aren't paid millions. First of all, you don't necessarily know who the top operatives are, and secondly, a lot of very fine people are willing to work for good wages and the feeling that they are behaving decently, perhaps simply being good citizens. One other consideration for you: at least some of the first-class spies are able to make good to great wealth from side jobs or from taking a few years off in order to make money. A final couple of thoughts: if you're paying a few people millions, some of them are going to be mistakes, undeserving; and deserving or not, the situation is going to cause all sorts of morale problems. You need the mediocrities, too, and you can't run an organization with severe morale divisions running through it.

[@getevennow]

Amazing competence of security system

[@nycphillie]

Was a movie made from this book? If so, name it please.

[@roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713]

Bryan.... I've got a little project going on I might need some advice from you sir. I will look into getting in touch with you.

[@LukasKamin]

27:43 in ther signature seen on the screen the word Moscow is written with a mistake - Москва - the second from the end letter "в" appears mirrorred

[@daniellartey7898]

Jimmy though loves his son Nathan wanted to complete his ambition through the son(Nathan) overlooking what might or is likely to befall his son.

[@victorvictor8587]

The Insecure will Always Sacrifice their Own Co-Workers Espessially the Ones that Think they're One of them and they're Not the Co-Workers Don't Agree and they'll use One as an Example to the Rest and Including Themselves to Include Federal Agents .

[@LivingDead53]

Only 300,000? Damn, it would take 5 million to even make me think of digging beyond rock bottom. Don't touch what you can't afford. Make him pay. lol joking. This guy was projecting his life. If you can't control your household, you'll have all sorts of issues.

[@anng.4542]

Why do we seem to have so many betrayers working at the Agency?

[@willieboy3011]

Spy Museum high standards continue with this video. Bryan Denson has an excellent book on the subject that I do recommend. Being a journalist unfamiliar with espionage by his own admission here, I was surprised by his excellent analysis through out the book. The story telling was easy to follow also. He juxtaposes the son's motives versus the father's often, perhaps overly so, presenting the son in a much more favorable light than an objective journalist would. However, I doubt that most people would have come to a different conclusion regarding the two spies. Moreover, I do not want to read an intelligence report, and clear motives supply the "why" that the reader demands in trying to understand how someone who could betray the country who has been so good to both men. My only complaint here is Bryan's reading too much of the book here. He is quite versed on the subject, and I understand referencing it from time to time, but I would have preferred him to tell the story here in this forum in his own words. I kept looking for Oleg Kalugin to say something after they mentioned him. He is an excellent authority, having served under the KGB. His books are most interesting.

[@m.jhyland831]

What a super reading and talk. Sadly, the audience didn't 'get it', such a flat and ungiving audience. Bryan Denson, you're a champ, the book is great and with a livelier and more conscious audience or an audience with a better sense of humour, this would've been a great event and the even you so fully deserve.

[@dionlindsay2]

I think it's a hard way to present, when some bits are read, and the rest is direct eye to eye speaking to the audience, and you try to string both into a single narrative. The trouble is it's jarring for a lot of listeners because the direct speaking will be more engaging and comfortable, and the reading will create a barrier. I can't remember seeing any talks of this style (you get it a lot at book launches) where the audience doesn't in the end disengage a bit to protect themselves from the change in moods.

[@conor2439]

44:11 so go out for a $500 dinner and drop the other $2.5k on an Omega dummy

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

Denson's judgement, around 36:15, that both father and son are "deeply religious Christians" seems very odd to me. He doesn't seem to be condemning, nor cynical, about Christianity. Has the notion simply lost all meaning in American public discourse?

[@mortalclown3812]

It seems that most people differentiate between being religious and being spiritual.

[@paulbirch8576]

Inane rambling introduction!

[@maxroberts7393]

Peter needs to learn to make a quick four-point introduction.

[@MichelleRichee]

Boring speaker even though content was okay.

[@ernesttownsend3825]

Max Roberts Amen!

[@eclecticreader961]

His introduction was great. Practice your patience and it will take you far in life.

[@pridenprejudice2004]

@@MichelleRichee Yes, and I think he seems taken with himself.

[@ninirema4532]

🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🙏

[@LivingDead53]

Were the Russians nice to him? Might as well be polite, unlike the lady who told me I hadn't discovered anything when I thought I'd discovered the number line, really?

[@prahamama8915]

Traitors Dont destroy only their family, But Destroy Whole Nation From with In. Catastrophic Consequences On each of Us American 🇺🇸❤️🙏🏻 Unfolding Right now In front of Our eyes, Ears, documents, Videos, Hard to believe.

[@MrJuliesguy]

What a joke, 900 year old Robert De Niro to play Jim?????

[@LivingDead53]

They let this guy off for worse. I can't help but think. You guys hurt my feelings. Oh well.

[@ninirema4532]

🙏🍎🍎🍎🥦🥦🥦🥬🥬🥦🥦🥦🍍🍍🍏🍏

[@sheilapasquini6232]

What could have been an interesting presentation was spoiled for me by the endless "uh, and uh, uh uh". After a time it becomes too much of a distraction, ruining everything. This guy, with all due respect, needs a speech coach. NOW!

[@iraq.sometimessunnisometim1981]

Let's see you stand up and do it. Clown....

[@Cubanbearnyc]

interesting story, BORING presentation.....

[@prahamama8915]

I hope, pray, that traitors today in America Will get The Obamas administration Order Death by calibrated Guiliotens. No useless Eaters traitors. Military tribunals Like laws Say.

[@prahamama8915]

Who Is protecting America, How come wetting Is not required, is Our gov all Manchuriens ? Soviet - zionists Rulers Masters of depopuation, the biggest crime against humanity in 20 century.not only there But evil In East Europe, China, sE Asia. Where are museums, Cattle cars, names photos, Names of towns, villiges, where are orphans touring American universities Warning about the Luciferien ideology, And Despotic demonic Satanist Executioners ..... Why Not ? Looks like only Hitler Existed .

[@numbynumb]

Lies.

[@busterbiloxi3833]

Jim's parents are delusional.

[@ninirema4532]

very good great working for national security and sovereign.🌍🌍🏔🌋🏕

[@ninirema4532]

🙏🙏🙏🌈🌻🌼🌼🍍🍎🥦🍊🍎🍎🍎🍎🥬👌