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An Impeccable Spy

Richard Sorge, Stalin’s Master Agent

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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents An Impeccable Spy by Owen Matthews, read by Mike Grady.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE PUSHKIN HOUSE PRIZE

'The most formidable spy in history' IAN FLEMING
'His work was impeccable' KIM PHILBY
'The spy to end spies' JOHN LE CARRÉ

Born of a German father and a Russian mother, Richard Sorge moved in a world of shifting alliances and infinite possibility. In the years leading up to and during the Second World War, he became a fanatical communist – and the Soviet Union’s most formidable spy.

Combining charm with ruthless manipulation, he infiltrated and influenced the highest echelons of German, Chinese and Japanese society. His intelligence proved pivotal to the Soviet counter-offensive in the Battle of Moscow, which in turn determined the outcome of the war itself.

Drawing on a wealth of declassified Soviet archives, this is a major biography of one of the greatest spies who ever lived.

©2019 Owen Matthews (P)2019 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Freedom & Security Politics & Government Russia Espionage Soviet Union War Imperial Japan Military Imperialism
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Spy stories are always exciting. I heard about Sorge in a podcast where a later russian spy praised Sorge, so I had to hear more.
You learn a lot about the war, from angles you dont usually hear about, and also don’t think about. The relationships between nations, human connections, chaos, and power of individuals to shape the world.
Charming, womanizing to the point of recklessness, heavy drinking, ruthless and terrifying, calculated, and a man who made even his enemies admit their admiration of him. One of the great ‘what could have been’ questions of spying during the second world war. Good book and good narrator, never lost track in staying engaging.

The Russian James Bond.

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Some eye opening material about early Russian and German communism. A lesson in spying and great insight into Pre world war Japan and China.

An historical thriller, I loved it.

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This was an engaging read filled with a wealth of documents and files. The portrayal of Sorge's character was well-translated and insightful. I plan to revisit it for a deeper understanding and to capture more details.

Amazing book about great Spy of all times

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This was the most informative and intriguing spy story I have read. A thrilling read.

A Gripping Tale

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scholarly work on a much overlooked spy..who really saved the soviet union..probably the most important spy in history..his information enabled stalin to move reserves to beat the germans..every school boy should know his name...few do..it is thought it may well have been sorgie who recruited roger Hollis

the greatest spy in history

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