• Operation Kronstadt

  • The Greatest True Tale of Espionage to Come Out of the Early Years of MI6
  • By: Harry Ferguson
  • Narrated by: Gideon Emery
  • Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (95 ratings)

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Operation Kronstadt  By  cover art

Operation Kronstadt

By: Harry Ferguson
Narrated by: Gideon Emery
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Publisher's summary

The True Story of Honor, Espionage, and the Rescue of Britain's Greatest Spy, The Man with a Hundred Faces

Part Blackhawk Down, part The Riddle of the Sands, former MI6 officer Harry Ferguson has written an extraordinarily gripping non-fiction thriller. Operation Kronstadt not only reveals the early days of intelligence services but also uncovers a truly dramatic story from the Russian Revolution involving a daring rescue attempt and a "mission impossible" against the best defended naval target in Russia.

By May 1919, when the power struggle between former Tsarists and Bolsheviks hangs in the balance, the only British agent in Russia is trapped and in mortal danger. Mansfield Cumming (alias "the first C") dreams up an audacious - probably suicidal - plan to rescue him, and a young naval officer is sent with a specially selected team into the jaws of the Soviet fleet. This is the remarkable true story of the spy Paul Dukes (the only MI6 officer to be knighted for work in the field) and Gus Agar, whose extraordinary escapade won him the Victoria Cross.

©2009 Harry Ferguson (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Ferguson's account of both sets of operations is exciting and his enthusiasm is infectious." (Sunday Telegraph, London)
"A tale of adventure, honor, and raw courage quite as exciting as anything found in fiction." (The Daily Mail)

What listeners say about Operation Kronstadt

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping Story

Wonderfully written...kept me on the edge of my seat. The best thing is it's a true story. Very well read too.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A hidden gem is discovered...

A great description of a little-known chapter of the times of the Bolshevik revolution. The research is excellent and gave life to the events and characters that not only shaped but also were shaped by them. The pictures of the people, politics and events in London and Russia are matched by vivid descriptions of the challenges of running networks in a hostile and difficult place.

I admit to a special curiosity, having visited the island of Kronstadt in 1992 as so much of the Former Soviet Union changed. Even then, Kronstadt was a "special" place with a proud and special history. This book and the excellent narration are worthy of the actual events.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

One of the best

Where does Operation Kronstadt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have read many spy stories and this is one of the best.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters

Have you listened to any of Gideon Emery’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I do not know the answer to this question.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Pretty close.... I could not wait to get back to it.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend to any reader that likes spy thrillers.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping story!

Would you consider the audio edition of Operation Kronstadt to be better than the print version?

Excellent narration. Better than print.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Operation Kronstadt?

The story of Francis Cromie is is little known. My grandfather was one of the embassy staff that witnessed his murder. This event and the incredible story that follows has shed light on this era for me and exposed it to the world. The best Audible 'read' for me yet.

Have you listened to any of Gideon Emery’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I will search this narrator's other works and read them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I couldn't put this recording down.

Any additional comments?

Great read

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Why is this not a movie?!?

An incredible story! Russian history, the brutal civil war, spy networks, counter spies, survival and incredible acts of courage and daring by everyday people. This is the genuine James Bond.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Magnificent, all the action of a novel but all tru

Would you listen to Operation Kronstadt again? Why?

Absolutely, fast paced story of a fascinating period in Soviet history.

What other book might you compare Operation Kronstadt to and why?

East to Adventure.

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

Points where courage overcame dispair.

Any additional comments?

Get this book, one of the greatest of the non-fiction spy stories ever written.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great book amazing story

Well written well preformed
An unbelievable true story of bravery an ingenuity
An what an account of post revolution Russia

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Favourite pick from AUDIBLE of all! So Far!

Would you listen to Operation Kronstadt again? Why?

I have listened and re-listened many times, as this true story is exciting from the opening chapter to the end!

What did you like best about this story?

Gus Agar(VC winner), and his mates booting it up and down the Gulf of Finland taking on Battle Cruisers; destroyers and all comers. Full steam ahead against overwhelming odds! And Paul Dukes trials and tribulations behind enemy lines trying just to survive another day!

What about Gideon Emery’s performance did you like?

Just seems to be the perfect voice for the genre.(Espionage and action behind enemy lines).

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I love "BIGGLES" adventures stories by W.E. Johns, and this was like an extremely well written Biggles, but it actually happened.!

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended for fans of espionage and true tales of courageous acts. Also I am really careful about selecting any audiobook based on narrator's voice, and Gideon Emery deserves the 5 stars+ - Ron L.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good Read!

What did you like best about Operation Kronstadt? What did you like least?

Quite interesting with some good character building. Some good references to history. Overall story line is good.

Would you be willing to try another book from Harry Ferguson? Why or why not?

No

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Nothing. Good narrator.

Did Operation Kronstadt inspire you to do anything?

No.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very interesting history of a little known time.

The time between the world wars is not often the subject of popular books. This activity by spies and secret police and the British government is very well written and edge of seat exciting.

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