In a smooth BBC accent, narrator Derek Perkins delivers this captivating story of Russian espionage. Focusing on the past four decades, the audiobook shows how Russian spying on the West went from the long game of planting illegals with fake identities, in the style of "The Americans" TV show, to the short game of recruiting Russian emigrés who used their real names, like the "Russian Honeypot," Anna Chapman. We learn that when ex-KGB officer Vladimir Putin stepped into the Russian power void, the spy tactics became less Le Carré and more brutal--witness the radioactive poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006. Perkins enlivens the pursuit of spies by the FBI with many stories of double crosses and double agents, and explains covert terminology; for example, "dry cleaning"--a circuitous route taken to throw off a tail. The result is a nonfiction audiobook that reads like fiction.
Pub Date: Feb. 18, 2020
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062933614
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Buckley offers a reasonable proposal for a national service program without jail or criminal penalties. Narrator Lawrence reads with a slow and careful announcer's voice; one wishes Buckley were reading this one himself. Books on Tape does its usual quality job with formatting, packaging and tape-turning instructions. The reader repeats the last sentence at such times, so you're sure you haven't missed anything. Popular nonfiction collections will appreciate Gratitude, and the topic is likely to prove timely in the years ahead.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Kozol’s shocking exposé of inequities in the funding of our public schools contrasts white suburban schools with those serving black and Hispanic populations. Interviews with students, teachers, and school administrators add eloquent testimony to Kozol’s disturbing presentation of facts. Narration by Jack Winston is clear and brisk, but the pace is unrelenting, with little pause for transition between scenes or chapters. Winston’s cool, detached voice contrasts with Kozol’s impasssioned and outraged message. The sheer repetition and magnitude of Kozol’s damning evidence is numbing; the narration gives no relief. Powerful medicine, most easily taken in small doses. Music signalling tape changes is jarringly inappropriate.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
