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From Russia with Blood
- Putin’s Ruthless Killing Campaign and Secret War on the West
- Narrated by: Marisa Calin
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
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From Russia with Blood
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Summary
Orwell Prize-nominated journalist Heidi Blake uncovers exclusive details of Vladimir Putin’s worldwide meddling with dissident voices. This is the explosive and true story of how Russia operates in our cities, right under the noses of the most powerful nations in the world, and why even they can’t stop him.
Russia’s resurgent encroachment into the West is the defining geopolitical story of our time - and a topic of insatiable public fascination. Putin’s use of targeted killing is designed to crush opponents, frighten critics into silence, exterminate traitors and wipe out the Western financial facilitators who make flight from Russia possible. In one sense this is nothing new: the Russian president is the consummate FSB man and an heir to Soviet-era autocrats who used the country’s feared security service to eliminate all opposition. But the growing pattern of brazen assassinations outside Russia’s borders is a mark of an emboldened state with burgeoning global ambitions.
Set in the heart of our cities, From Russia With Blood will analyse the geopolitical consequences of this strategy and the dangers of the West’s flat-footed response. Drawing on the expertise of Russian experts, intelligence insiders, academics and government sources in the US and Europe, Heidi Blake will uncover what has been kept from the public up until now. This audiobook is based on hundreds of thousands of documents, crime scene evidence, computers and mobile phones, surveillance footage, high-level intelligence briefings from serving officials and hundreds of insider interviews - but this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Supported by a vibrant cast of characters and a fast-paced narrative, this story will draw on original reporting to tell the full story of how Russia refined the art and science of assassination as a form of statecraft. But it will also offer insights into its formidable cyber powers, sprawling international propaganda machine and fearsome security, espionage and organised crime complex to create a frighteningly effective strategy for growing global dominance. This is an unmissable guide to how Western governments failed to guard those living on home soil against the threat, the dramatic events of the past year and their alarming significance for the future.
Critic reviews
"A real life thriller, packed with characters that even John le Carré couldn't dream of. If this doesn't scare you, then you're not paying attention." (Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland)
"Breathtaking in its scope and commendable in its detail.... Blake’s triumph is that she can pull an extraordinary tale of larceny on a grand scale, corruption of unprecedented levels and serial murder into a brisk, comprehensible narrative." (Sunday Herald)
"A spellbinding and heart-in-your-throat true story of Russian money and serial killing by agents of the Russian state in London.... In addition to being an unputdownable story, her shocking expose will hopefully change the way the British authorities act on crimes emanating from Russia in the future." (Bill Browder, author of Red Notice)
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What listeners say about From Russia with Blood
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Happy Solak
- 04-12-19
Why do the Tories accept Russian money..?
A ripper recent history lesson on Putin's rise to brazen global gangster, his extra-judicial killings in the UK and our government's willing part in continuing to cover it all up for money. A must read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- James
- 18-05-20
Great book, mediocre narration
The book is excellent – and shows the dark side of Putin, the Kremlin's control in many areas of the world and the unbelievable lengths the Russian state will go to cover their tracks.
However, the narration is more suited to a children's book (as several reviewers have noted here) and doesn't match up with the seriousness of the content. It's certainly not monotonous, however the narrator's frankly lamentable attempts at foreign accents (Russian, French, German, RP English, the list could go on...) are certainly not needed – and spoil the story.
We're adults, we don't need comic-style narration.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John
- 21-06-20
interesting good listen
very interesting, well read but the reader puts on a faux Russian accent for many conversational parts and it sounds a bit silly, but all in all good
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martin Walsh
- 11-03-20
This book filled in so many gaps
A compelling story that taught me so much, especially as I thought I was already clued up on this subject. Some reviews criticised the narrator but I thought her performance and style were perfect - apart from a dodgy French accent towards the end of the book, but this was very brief. All in all one of the best books I've bought.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Higham
- 25-05-20
Brilliant gripping
Excellent really enjoyed this book my only gripe were the silly Russian American and French accents used. However still one of the best books I’ve listened to.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kevin Blake
- 12-04-20
Excellent account of Putin's crimes
First rate account of Putin's rise to power and his atrocious campaign of assassinations of Russian dissident exiles in the UK and the shameful failure to act by the British authorities. Tony Blair in particular comes across as shockingly naive in his view of and dealings with Putin, who it is now clear is a Russian villain straight out of James Bond central casting. Marisa Calin is excellent as narrator and her use of accents helps bring the account to life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Nick Thompson
- 22-01-20
Wow
A stunning insight in to the Kremlin and its effect on the West. It such a great listen and given the issues involved a very brave and thoroughly researched piece.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 24-04-21
Excellent book, shows how linked criminals are.
amazing insight in to how organised crime in Russia and UK work hand in hand.
mainly government level cover-ups. mainly form uk government members of Parliament... The reason why the only good politician is a dead one.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Dr. J. Lane
- 28-06-22
Average
Although factual, it was written in a way that was almost fictional. That was disappointing
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Karl Dolan
- 20-04-20
Brilliant book
Great book, filled with jaw dropping stories about how the Russians are on an international killing spree with the UK acting as an unwilling accomplice. The book does not get a 5 star review for one reason-the narrators continuous cringing attempts at accent imitation especially the French accent.
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1 person found this helpful