Russians Among Us

Sleeper Cells, Ghost Stories, and the Hunt for Putin’s Spies

By: Gordon Corera

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

With intrigue that rivals the best le Carre novels, Russians Among Us tells the urgent story of Russia’s espionage efforts against the United States and the West from the end of the Cold War to the present

Spies have long been a source of great fascination in the world of fiction, but sometimes the best spy stories happen in real life. Russians Among Us tells the full story of Putin’s escalating espionage campaign in the West, the Russian "deep cover" spies who penetrated the US and the years-long FBI hunt to capture them. This book also details the recruitment, running, and escape of one of the most important spies of modern times, a man who worked inside the heart of Russian intelligence. In this thrilling account Corera tracks not only the history, but the astonishing evolution of Russian espionage, including the use of "cyber illegals" who continue to manipulate us today and pose a significant threat to the 2020 election. 

Like a scene from the TV drama The Americans, in the summer of 2010 a group of Russian deep cover sleeper agents were arrested. It was the culmination of a decade-long investigation, and 10 people, including Anna Chapman, were swapped for four people held in Russia. At the time it was seen simply as a throwback to the Cold War. But that would prove to be a costly mistake. It was a sign that the Russian threat had never gone away and more importantly, it was shifting into a much more disruptive new phase. 

Today, the danger is clearer than ever following the poisoning in the UK of one of the spies who was swapped, Sergei Skripal, and the growing evidence of Russian interference in American life. Russians Among Us describes for the first time the story of deep cover spies in America and the FBI agents who tracked them. In intimate and riveting detail, it reveals new information about today’s spies - as well as those trying to catch them and those trying to kill them. 

©2020 Gordon Corera (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Should be required reading for every citizen

This non-fiction work reads like a John le Carré novel and is twice as frightening as it is true! Really think that all politicians and voters should have to read this book. Sounds like FaceBook and Twitter might be the Trojan horse that topples Western democracy. Having grown up in Cold War Europe and witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and toppling of the USSR, it makes sense to me that the Putin and his colleagues want to bring down our nation. However, we cannot let him. Buck up, American’s! Get off FaceBook and start talking to your neighbors. Cross-cultural and cross the aisle friendships might just save the Union.

Very eye-opening

This book looked at the background of the illegal program, not just in the US but around the world by the Russian state and how it evolved after the break up of the USSR. But it also offered an insight to the mentality behind Putin and the leadership in Russia and how we cannot stand down from our vigilance.

Scary Good

I hope people will listen to this and understand the threat of Putin. They are trying to stir up discord among us I believe.

Totally absorbing

Well written and expertly researched, this book should be required reading for anyone who is unaware of, or doubts, what the Russians have done to us and are still doing to us.

Every American should read this book

Chilling, engaging, listened to the book twice! Impossible to stop. Well told story and terrifying account of Russian spycraft in the modern era.

amazing & enlightening!

As an avid follower of world politics, and U.S.-Russia relations in particular, I knew some of this. But the greater context, additional details and further history weaved a thread though it all! Really a must-listen for anyone interested in the subject matter.

No story/Russian spies in US that did ???

The author doesn’t bother to point out what intelligence these « illegals » actually provided. The writer is sadly like a shadow of 1950s CIA when there was a horrible Soviet threat, especially to its own people. Sad that the USA after Dulles and 50 years/billions/ trillions of dollars on weapons and espionage doesnt mention how we stupidly didn’t help the fledgling Russian « democracy « . Nice story ala the TV series Thé Americans about Soviet assets living in thé US as «  illegals » but author never provides any interesting info as to whether these Soviet Ozzie snd Harriets actually found any relevant intelligence and thus became a threat tomUS security. Allen Dulles BS legacy rides again.

Best book on Soviet->Russian espionage

Amazing book covering the Russian "illegals" program, from the 80's through the early 2000s. Few books have been so engaging and enthralling as this one. I recommend this book to people familiar with the topic and those who are new to it. If you're a fan of the FX show The Americans, this is a must read. Best book of 2020 so far.

Excellent.

Well worth one’s time. Respect for the research put into the story. Corroborates McFaul’s words in “From Cold War to Hot Peace,” as well as Earley’s “Comrade J.” Finally, I liked the narration a lot (I am personally in favor of a British accent with audiobooks).

Enthralling. Dripped from the headlines!

This could not be more on point as to expertly framing the exact political and social climates gripping America today! All that being so patiently and stealthily created by the Russian politic.