Book description
The riveting, secret story of the hundred-year intelligence war between Russia and the West with lessons for our new superpower conflict with China. Spies is the history of the secret war that Russia and the West have been waging for a century. Espionage, sabotage, and subversion were the Kremlin's means to equalize the imbalance of resources between the East and West before, during, and after the Cold War. There was nothing "unprecedented" about Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. It was simply business as usual, new means used for old ends. The Cold War started long before 1945. But the West fought back after World War II, mounting its own shadow war, using disinformation, vast intelligence networks, and new technologies against the Soviet Union. Spies is an inspiring, engrossing story of the best and worst of mankind: bravery and honor, treachery and betrayal. The narrative shifts across continents and decades, from the freezing streets of St. Petersburg in 1917 to the bloody beaches of Normandy; from coups in faraway lands to present-day Moscow where troll farms, synthetic bots, and weaponized cyber-attacks being launched on the woefully unprepared West. It is about the rise and fall of eastern superpowers: Russia's past and present and the global ascendance of China. Mining hitherto secret archives in multiple languages, Calder Walton shows that the Cold War started earlier than commonly assumed, that it continued even after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, and that Britain and America's clandestine struggle with the Soviet government provides key lessons for countering China today. This fresh reading of history, combined with practical takeaways for our current great power struggles, make Spies a unique and essential addition to the history of the Cold War and the unrolling conflict between the United States and China that will dominate the 21st century.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Old Man Winter
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Flash Protein
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
King Bass
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done! I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Scooby Did
Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Pepper
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired.
Gr8 Flick
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Sweet Manhattan
ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Green Ghost
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. 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.
Drift
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π
Woodland Beauty
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience.
Pearl Girl
I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Little General
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Lope Lope
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Darkside Orbit
ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Devine Melon
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Lady Peach
Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Romance Guppy
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ 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. 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.
Trash
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer β my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
EchoExplorer
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
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