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.
Sexy
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Demolition Queen
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Parallax Sugar
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Hyper
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Highlander Monk
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Tall Sally
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Old Orange Eyes
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Terror Master
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius.
Tweety Bun Bun
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Troubled Pie
Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! 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.
General Broomdog
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Forger
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Uluru Walker
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Voodoo Queen
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Campfire Mama
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Pyscho Hun
🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 Say goodbye to boring commutes – this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. 🌟📚
Knuckles
I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 Audiobook adventures simplified – this app's functionality is a revelation. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
Jigsaw
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Mirage
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks.
Spooky Electric
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
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