Book description
The definitive history of Russia's most secret spy program, from the earliest days of the Soviet Union to Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and a revelatory examination of how that hidden history shaped both Russia and the West.More than a century ago, the new Bolshevik government began sending Soviet citizens abroad as deep-cover spies, training them to pose as foreign aristocrats, merchants, and students. Over time, this grew into the most ambitious espionage program in history. Many intelligence agencies use undercover operatives, but the KGB was the only one to go to such lengths, spending years training its spies in language and etiquette, and sending them abroad on missions that could last for decades. These spies were known as "illegals." During the Second World War, illegals were dispatched behind enemy lines to assassinate high-ranking Nazis. Later, in the Cold War, they were sent to assimilate and lie low as sleepers in the West. The greatest among them performed remarkable feats, while many others failed in their missions or cracked under the strain of living a double life.Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews, as well as archival research in more than a dozen countries, Shaun Walker brings this history to life in a page-turning tour de force that takes us into the heart of the KGB's most secretive program. A riveting spy drama peopled with richly drawn characters, The Illegals also uncovers a hidden thread in the story of Russia itself. As Putin extols Soviet achievements and the KGB's espionage prowess, and Moscow continues to infiltrate illegals across the globe, this timely narrative shines new light on the long arc of the Soviet experiment, its messy aftermath, and its influence on our world at large.
NexusNavigator
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Dropkick
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks.
Guncap Slingbad
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
Blue Despair
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Classy Luck
👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
HolyCombo
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧
Doz
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
German Coach
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Stud muffin
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. 🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Cujo
Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Sapiens
The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Twinkle Cutlass
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Swedish Twizz
With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move – it's like having a tutor by my side. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Lord Nikon
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. 🎙️ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level – audiobooks make it an adventure! 🛒📚 Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Trash Master
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Chew Chew
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true.
ThoughtTracer
Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Gothic Gucci
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Baked ZD
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Sugar Hiccup
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
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