Our score
Outstanding
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Redwood Audiobook by Ben Macintyre— narrated by Ben Macintyre
The Untold Story of the Cold War's Most Extraordinary Spy
Redwood by Ben Macintyre is a Cold War spy history about KGB Major Vladimir Kuzichkin, who turns to MI6 in 1981 from his post in revolutionary Tehran. It's narrative nonfiction that reads like a thriller, and it follows the young British officer charged with getting him out alive.
Why the audiobook wins
Ben Macintyre reads his own book, which suits narrative history that moves like a spy novel. He treats tradecraft as slow logistics and patient nerves instead of gunfights, rebuilding a real 1981 operation from archives and interviews.
At about 17 and a half hours, it is dense, patient, and detailed, with a big cast across the KGB, MI6, the CIA, and Iranian intelligence, plus few dates to anchor the timeline. That rewards close listening, and a tense escape sequence near the end pays it off.
Revolutionary Tehran makes a vivid setting. One Audible credit covers the whole book.
Audiobook questions
- Who narrates the Redwood audiobook?
- Ben Macintyre narrates the audiobook edition of Redwood.
- How long is the Redwood audiobook?
- The audiobook runs 17 hr 24 min.
- Is the Redwood audiobook worth listening to?
- We scored Redwood 4.5 out of 5. Ben Macintyre reads his own book, which suits narrative history that moves like a spy novel. He treats tradecraft as slow logistics and patient nerves instead of gunfights, rebuilding a real 1981 operation from archives and interviews.
- Can I listen to Redwood free with an Audible trial?
- Eligible new Audible members can use a free-trial credit to listen in the Audible app. Eligibility and current offer terms are set by Audible.Listen free with Audible
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- Is Redwood on Kindle+?
- No. Redwood was not included with Kindle+ when we last checked on October 25, 2026.
- What formats is Redwood available in?
- On Amazon, Redwood comes as a Kindle ebook, a paperback and a hardcover.
