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  • Agent Sonya

  • Lover, Mother, Soldier, Spy
  • By: Ben Macintyre
  • Narrated by: Ben Macintyre
  • Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (229 ratings)

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Agent Sonya cover art

Agent Sonya

By: Ben Macintyre
Narrated by: Ben Macintyre
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Publisher's Summary

The incredible story of the greatest female spy in history, from one of Britain's most acclaimed historians.

In the quiet Cotswolds village of Great Rollright in 1944, a thin and unusually elegant housewife emerged from her cottage to go on her usual bike ride. A devoted mother of three, attentive wife and friendly neighbour, Sonya Burton seemed to epitomise rural British domesticity.

However, rather than pedalling towards the shops with her ration book, Sonya was heading for the Oxfordshire countryside to gather scientific secrets from a nuclear physicist. Secrets that would enable the Soviet Union to build the atomic bomb.

Far from an obedient homemaker, Sonya Burton was a dedicated communist, a decorated colonel and a veteran spy who risked her life to keep the Soviet Union in the nuclear arms race. Her husband was also a Soviet agent, and her children had three different fathers from lovers she'd encountered throughout her incredible career.

In Agent Sonya, Ben Macintyre reveals the astonishing story behind the most important woman spy in history and the huge emotional cost that came with being a mother, a wife and a secret agent at once.

©2020 Ben MacIntyre (P)2020 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Agent Sonya

Average Customer Ratings
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Amazing work of non fiction that you’d swear was fiction

Incredible story of real life 20th century espionage, we’ll read. A compelling listen, thoroughly recommended!

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Brilliant

Better than fiction. Wonderfully constructed. Excellent narration. Totally captivating - kept me completely engaged from start to finish. Thank you.

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excellent book

thoroughly enjoyed this excellent book. very well narrated. Amazing story and best of all it's true.

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Story and narration good

Great book. Read by the British author who very occasionally attempts a cringe American accent when quoting passages US source material but otherwise excellent

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The world in flux

The detailed behind-the-scenes insight into the turbulent world of the early to mid 20th century was eye opening, even for a reader with considerable interest in world events both past and present. The rise and fall of communism in Europe involving not simply statistics, but real people with their lives at stake at every turn,

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loved the story and the historical facts

great true story of a brave woman in a difficult time in history. links to real world events was fascinating

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An outstanding read

An outstanding and fascinating book. This writer is exceptionally skillful and I found every minute enthralling.

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Agent Sonya

The is one of the finest spy dramas I have ever read (listened to). The story keeps you completely intrigued as it unfolds. Outstanding story, outstanding writing and riveting narration. If you love history or spy dramas this is a must.

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Absolutely fascinating

One gets the strong impression that Macintyre is very sympathetic towards Sonya and her motives despite her treachery. True Marxism is another form of blind religious fanaticism. Despite all that happened to Sonya and her friends and family at the hands of Stalin and the CCP she remained loyal to her ideals despite the harsh reality of her communist superiors. Any form of fanaticism is myopic , delusional and dangerous. MI5 and MI6 have a lot to answer for. Highly recommended. I can’t wait for another true spy thriller book from Macintyre!

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Riveting and educational

Sonya’s career charts communisms rise and demise and global reach. Eloquent. Intelligent. Compelling. Brings ideology to life.

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