The Company

A Novel of the CIA

By: Robert Littell

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 41 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Crisis constantly lurks around the corner, monitored by spies who are always with us. In his career-capping thirteenth novel, master of the espionage thriller Robert Littell has crafted a breathtaking story of the legendary CIA - "The Company" to insiders.

At its heart lies a spectacular mole hunt involving the CIA, MI6, KGB and Mossad - a stunningly conceived trip down the rabbit hole to the labyrinthine Alice-in-Wonderland world of espionage, "a wood where things have no names."

Racing across a landscape spanning the legendary Berlin Base of the 1950s - the front line of the simmering Cold War - the Soviet invasion of Hungary, the Bay of Pigs, Afghanistan, and the Gorbachev putsch, The Company tells the thrilling story of agents imprisoned in double lives, fighting an enemy that is amoral, elusive, and formidable. It also lays bare the internecine warfare within the company itself, adding another dimension to the spy vs. spy game.

©2013 Robert Littell (P)2013 Phoenix Audio

Critic reviews

"If Robert Littell didn't invent the American spy novel, he should have." (Tom Clancy, author of Patriot Games) "If le Carre is the Joyce of spy novelists, Littell is the Dickens." (Booklist, starred review). "An epic tale...peopled by heroes and villains who seem almost mythological in retrospect...Keeps you riveted." (Nelson DeMille, author of Up Country)
"Destined to become the definitive novel about the CIA." (Amazon.com)

A must for any fan of spy novels

Would you listen to The Company again? Why?

Yes, it was entertaining the first time with some great characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Company?

The account of the Russian takeover of Budapest

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He really lets you identify each character in the story by their accent and overall personality a great performance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the Wizz was waiting for Ebby to come out of Budapest or waiting for news from the Bay of Pigs.

Any additional comments?

Robert Littell hits all the major high (or low) points in the CIA's history in this great spy novel overcrowded with memorable characters, like the Sorcerer.

story drags

story line drags. book is ok, not the best. I hope the CIA is really better than this.

41 hours of what you love

I think if you are even considering buying a 41 hour book on the CIA, you're probably going to like this. It's a pleasure. I found myself watching historical documentaries and other content related to the events covered by this book; of course, as you already know, since you are like me, I do that a LOT :)

Do it! Enjoy.

one of my favorite books

an amazing book that captivates for over 50 hours. I've listened to this 3 times already, just don't bother with the TV mini series.

Excellent listen. Didn't wan't the book to end

one of the best books of the genre. Littel does a masterful job waving real events and milestones into the characters, in a way that makes them central. really enjoyable and highly recommended.

I sat in the driveway for 20 minutes

Riveting plotlines, well written and exceptionally read. I have sat in my car listening prior to appointments and in my driveway at home waiting for the next twist. I love this one. I'm nearing the end of the title and plan on searching out this reader for some more. Good one, this. Fires on all cylinders.

Worth every second

Contemporary history stretching back to the Berlin wall and as recent as Putin's rise. For most of us who never really understood what really was in the news. The Budapest scenes are heartbreaking.

An epos of post war history!

42 h of modern history, intertwined with a few interesting characters. Be patient for the first two h. Excellent performance too.

A true work of art

This book transported me into the story. Not many books are so compelling as to mesmerize a listner to such an extent. Of course the brilliant reading by Scott Brick helps. Brick does an outstanding job of bringing the characters to life. But back to Littels. The span of the story is just amazing. Covering half a century of the CIA's history must have been difficult. Littell makes it seem easy. Nearly all the major victory's and defeats of the spy agency are included. What a fascinating look inside spook work. I feel so strongly about the quality of this book, that I beg you to listen to it.

Riveting epic spy thriller!

The Company, released in 2002, is the only Robert Littell novel in my Audible library. At more than 41 hours in length The Company could easily been more than one novel. It is the fictionalized story of the history of the CIA. The audiobook is riveting! Scott Brick narrates.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!