Book description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The "master storyteller" (San Francisco Chronicle) behind the New York Times bestseller The Spy and the Traitor uncovers the true story behind one of the Cold War's most intrepid spies. "[An] immensely exciting, fast-moving account."--The Washington Post ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Foreign Affairs, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal In 1942, in a quiet village in the leafy English Cotswolds, a thin, elegant woman lived in a small cottage with her three children and her husband, who worked as a machinist nearby. Ursula Burton was friendly but reserved, and spoke English with a slight foreign accent. By all accounts, she seemed to be living a simple, unassuming life. Her neighbors in the village knew little about her. They didn't know that she was a high-ranking Soviet intelligence officer. They didn't know that her husband was also a spy, or that she was running powerful agents across Europe. Behind the facade of her picturesque life, Burton was a dedicated Communist, a Soviet colonel, and a veteran agent, gathering the scientific secrets that would enable the Soviet Union to build the bomb. This true-life spy story is a masterpiece about the woman code-named "Sonya." Over the course of her career, she was hunted by the Chinese, the Japanese, the Nazis, MI5, MI6, and the FBI--and she evaded them all. Her story reflects the great ideological clash of the twentieth century--between Communism, Fascism, and Western democracy--and casts new light on the spy battles and shifting allegiances of our own times. With unparalleled access to Sonya's diaries and correspondence and never-before-seen information on her clandestine activities, Ben Macintyre has conjured a page-turning history of a legendary secret agent, a woman who influenced the course of the Cold War and helped plunge the world into a decades-long standoff between nuclear superpowers.
Viceswerve
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move β it's like having a tutor by my side. π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
NexusNavigator
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ± Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Mr. Spy
Simplifying my reading routine β this app's ease of use is remarkable. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Friday Ferrari
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
Sand Whiskers
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Hitch Frenzy
π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Snow Hound
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Sand Whiskers
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Screwtape
π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Knock Out Star
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Pixy Mox
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now!
Zero Charisma
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening.
Tin Mutt
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app makes each day a new adventure! ππ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
SereneScribe
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. ListenBookβs interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Hen Skittle
With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Sepukku
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls.
Married Man
ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
The China Wall
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ
Gold Bentley
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Crossing Guard
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience