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The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West

The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West

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$16.62at eBay, last seen Nov 3

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Our take on the The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West

The Illegals is Shaun Walker's 448-page history of Russian deep-cover espionage, tracing the agents who spent decades posing as ordinary Westerners. Walker, a longtime Guardian correspondent in Moscow, builds the story from case files and interviews with defectors and intelligence officers. It is narrative non-fiction aimed at general adult readers rather than an academic reference. As of November 3, 2026, the best new price is $16.62 at eBay, the only store listing a new copy.

Best forReaders of spy and intelligence historyAnyone following Russia and the war in Ukraine
Fans of narrative non-fiction like Ben Macintyre
Book clubs wanting a discussion-heavy title
Pros
  • Covers a century of Russian undercover operations in one narrative
  • Written by a journalist with years of Moscow reporting
  • 448 pages of detail without academic jargon
  • Connects Cold War sleeper agents to recent cases
  • Includes author background and chapter structure for easy navigation
Cons
  • Only one new-copy listing, so price competition is thin
  • Heavy on names and agencies; casual readers may lose track
  • Espionage history dates quickly as new cases surface
  • Hardback dimensions (23.6 x 16.2 x 4.4 cm) make it bulky to carry

The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West prices at every store

  • eBayCheck price at eBay

The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West price history

Lowest price we've seen: $16.62 on Nov 3 at eBay. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 3.

What reviewers say

Reviewers treat the book as a well-reported, readable account of Russian deep-cover spying, praised for its access and pacing. Some note that the cast of agents and agencies is dense and that the material overlaps with earlier spy histories.

Pros
  • Strong reporting and sourcing
  • Reads like a thriller rather than a textbook
  • Useful context for recent Russian intelligence cases
Cons
  • Large cast of characters is hard to track
  • Some stories already familiar from other books

Specifications

Author Name
Shaun Walker
Book Format Type
Book
Publisher
Profile Books Ltd
Main Genre
Non-fiction
Subgenre
History
Book Author
Shaun Walker
Book Language
English
Book Publisher
Profile Books Ltd
Book Dimensions
23.6 x 16.2 x 4.4 centimeters
Book Weight
0.35 kg
Edition Publisher
Profile Books Ltd
Original Language
English
Translated Language
No
Typical Users
Adults
Target Audience
Adults
Page Count
448
Chapters
Yes

Questions and answers

Is The Illegals worth buying?
If you want a single narrative history of Russian sleeper agents from the Soviet era to today, yes. Readers who already own several Cold War spy books may find some overlap.
Who is Shaun Walker?
He is a British journalist who reported from Moscow for The Guardian for years, covering Russia and Eastern Europe. That reporting background shapes the book's access and detail.
How long is the book?
It runs 448 pages in hardback, with chapters and an author section. Expect a multi-evening read rather than a quick weekend book.
Is it available in other formats?
The listing is for the hardback from Profile Books. Paperback, ebook and audiobook editions are commonly sold separately, so check the format before ordering.
When is the price lowest?
With only one new-copy listing at $16.62 on eBay as of November 3, 2026, there is little price competition. Watch for used copies or paperback releases if you want to pay less.

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