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Agent Sonya

The True Story of The Greatest Female Spy in History - The Sunday Times Bestseller

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Agent Sonya

By: Ben Macintyre
Narrated by: Ben Macintyre
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Brought to you by Penguin

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

Discover the incredible true story of WW2's most extraordinary spy - from the bestselling author of The Spy and the Traitor.

From planning an assassination attempt on Hitler in Switzerland, to spying on the Japanese in Manchuria, to preventing nuclear war (or so she believed) by stealing the science of atomic weaponry from Britain to give to Moscow, Ursula Kuczynski Burton conducted some of the most dangerous espionage operations of the twentieth century.

Born to a German Jewish family, as Ursula grew, so did the Nazis' power. A fanatical opponent of the fascism that ravaged her homeland, she was drawn to communism as a young woman, motivated by the promise of a fair and peaceful society. She eventually became a spymaster, saboteur, bomb-maker and secret agent.

In Agent Sonya, Britain's most acclaimed historian vividly reveals the fascinating tale of a life that would change the course of history. Classic Ben Macintyre - a gripping ride, based on meticulous research, that reads like a novel - this is the greatest spy story never told.

'His best book yet' The Times

'Macintyre has found a real-life heroine worthy of his gifts as John le Carré's nonfiction counterpart' New York Times

'This book is classic Ben Macintyre . . . quirky human details enliven every page' Clare Mulley, Spectator

'She is the strongest character of all in Macintyre's bestselling series of wartime tales . . . I raced through the pages to keep up with the plot' Julian Glover, Evening Standard

© Ben MacIntyre 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

20th Century Freedom & Security Military Modern Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Women Espionage Marriage Soviet Union War Funny Thought-Provoking Imperialism Socialism Village Solider
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Critic reviews

Macintyre does true-life espionage better than anyone else (John Preston)
Think John le Carré at his early best - but fact not fiction
This impeccably researched account of her double life spans continents and is brilliantly compelling
Macintyre's page-turner is a dazzling portrait of a flawed yet driven individual who risked everything (including her children) for the cause
The best true spy story I have ever read (John le Carré on 'The Spy and the Traitor')
Thrilling...Macintyre will have you hooked to her life's every twist and turn (Lucy Knight)
Macintyre has found a real-life heroine worthy of his gifts as John le Carré's nonfiction counterpart
This book is classic Ben Macintyre...quirky human details enliven every page... it is Macintyre's own vivid retelling of her perilous professional, personal and political life that make Agent Sonya such an accessible spy story.
He has the unerring gift of uncovering those astonishing truths that make even the best novelists of espionage seem both earthbound and artificial in comparison
His best book yet (The Times)
All stars
Most relevant
This is a story of a person for whom I have no respect and who I think deserved far worse than she got out of life. However the research was good. The writing was marvellous. The story was engagingly told - and there were many characters, It could have been impossibly complicated. Macintyre is a real artist in the way he relates the events. I am especially impressed with his almost superhuman self-control when outlining Sonya's treachery to the country which gave her sanctuary. I'm sure I would have descended to criticism at that point. Despite how angry it made me, I'm glad I listened to this. Not a minute was wasted.

Solid research, fascinating story, well told.

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If you like novels about espionage and novels by Ben McIntyre you will love this book.

Great story

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Absolutely fantastic book. Ben Macintyre’s work is always eloquent, gripping and honestly a must read. Narration by the author I thought was splendid, very well spoken and portrayed the characters well.

5/5 for all!!

Fantastic

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My first Audiobook from Macintyre. And fist work of his since 2007 when I read Agent Zigzag. Loved this, genuinely excellent. Would often slow down my drive home to squeeze a few more minutes. Gripping and incredibly detailed and brilliantly narrated, I will now be downloaded several more of his books on here!

Outstanding

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Brilliant, a fascinating story of an incredible spies history. Enjoyed every chapter of Agent Sonya.

A great listen, excellent narration by Ben Macintyre

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