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.
Round Kick Boomer
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Cool Iris
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Red Delicious
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Nutmeg
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Admiral Tot
Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! 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.
ThickSKN
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Gullyway
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Firefly Caramel
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Slug-em-dog
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
High-Fructose
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FireBerry
ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
PixelPilgrim
Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Shy Warrior
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Kinged
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. I love the auto-rewind feature. ListenBook always picks up right where I left off. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Toxic-oxide
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Princess Dove
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation.
ByteBard
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Coffee
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. I've rediscovered my love for reading, all thanks to this app's convenience. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
Innocent Ghost
This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
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