Publisher's Synopsis
Book Summary: In 1999, David Knight is sent to Moscow by the CIA to gather information that could help the U.S. decide how much aid to extend to Russia. He accidentally learns that Russia's newly-elected president, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, is investing heavily in developing new cyberweapons to invade the U.S. and other countries, like Ukraine-as we would learn in 2022.
This discovery drives the new and young CIA consultant and professor mad. He feels a sudden surge of patriotism, which motivates him to take unfamiliar risks and convince his handler to respond to Putin's planned aggression.
This experience helps the Anglo David Knight redeem himself from past failures and develop a loving relationship with Toni Chavez-a newly-minted Latina professor of political science.
About the Author: Avraham Shama is an award-winning writer, professor, and consultant. He specializes in the Russian economy and in the spread of new technologies. Shama has been published extensively in these areas. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science and an M.B.A. from the Hebrew University, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, the Kellogg School of Management.
Praise for Cyberwars:
"This novel takes us into the little appreciated world of espionage by academics accidentally turned spies. What starts out as dull, benign, abstract research turns into a full spy story when the protagonist finds himself with access to an important figure in Russian Academia working on cybersecurity issues. This attracts the attention of the US intelligence agencies and initiates a game of spy versus spy."
"There is a full range of fictional espionage figures: The academic who stumbles on important people and information, the Russian femme-fatale, the CIA handler, the FSB counter agent, the academic bureaucrat, FSB goons, and even an incognito master spy. There are plenty of spy story devices: honeypots, the desperation to escape to a freer and/or more lucrative life, and the appeals to ancient loyalties. Yet for all the thriller paraphernalia, the center of the story focuses on how an academic becomes an intelligence asset simply by engaging in mundane research. This is not an unfamiliar subject and every year Americans read about Chinese academics who have penetrated American institutions and spied for the Chinese government. But this works both ways - American academics have been recruited and employed in such roles by American spy agencies as well. This activity goes mostly unnoticed outside of the world of professional espionage because it is lacking in glamour and dramatic results. Professor Shama has a deft touch in exploring the process and motivations of the major characters without resorting to overworked cliches. In the end, the hero is just a guy who wants to do his part but is not the next Bond wannabe."
- John Bowen, an expert on Russia.
"This novel has everything: espionage, double agents, romance, and the great Southwest. Shama knows the story he is telling. He's lived it."
- Rob Speigel, Senior Editor at Design News, covering automation and cybersecurity.
