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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel Paperback - 2013

by le Carre, John


About this book

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a novel by British author John le Carré. Set during the political tensions of the Cold War, the revolutionary espionage novel portrays the intelligence services of both Eastern and Western nations as sacrificing morality in the name of national security. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold received critical acclaim at the time of its publication and became an international bestseller. Named “Best Crime Novel” by the Crime Writers' Association in 1963 and “Best Mystery Novel” by the Mystery Writers of America in 1965, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold was the first work to win the award from both writing organizations. Additionally, it was named the “Best spy novel of all-time” by Publisher’s Weekly and is listed as one of the All-Time 100 Novels by Time magazine.

Summary

The 50th-anniversary edition of the bestselling novel that launched John le Carré’s career worldwide

In the shadow of the newly erected Berlin Wall, Alec Leamas watches as his last agent is shot dead by East German sentries. For Leamas, the head of Berlin Station, the Cold War is over. As he faces the prospect of retirement or worse—a desk job—Control offers him a unique opportunity for revenge. Assuming the guise of an embittered and dissolute ex-agent, Leamas is set up to trap Mundt, the deputy director of the East German Intelligence Service—with himself as the bait. In the background is George Smiley, ready to make the game play out just as Control wants.

Setting a standard that has never been surpassed, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a devastating tale of duplicity and espionage.

From the publisher

From the New York Times bestselling author of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; Our Kind of Traitor; and The Night Manager, now a television series starring Tom Hiddleston. The 50th-anniversary edition of the bestselling novel that launched John le Carr's career worldwide In the shadow of the newly erected Berlin Wall, Alec Leamas watches as his last agent is shot dead by East German sentries. For Leamas, the head of Berlin Station, the Cold War is over. As he faces the prospect of retirement or worse--a desk job--Control offers him a unique opportunity for revenge. Assuming the guise of an embittered and dissolute ex-agent, Leamas is set up to trap Mundt, the deputy director of the East German Intelligence Service--with himself as the bait. In the background is George Smiley, ready to make the game play out just as Control wants. Setting a standard that has never been surpassed, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a devastating tale of duplicity and espionage.

First Edition Identification

Victor Gollancz first published The Spy Who Came in from the Cold in London in 1963. First editions have no subsequent printings noted. Signed copies of this first edition sell for upwards of $3,000.

Details

  • Title The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel
  • Author le Carre, John
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 240
  • Language EN
  • Publisher Penguin Books, USA
  • Date 2013-09-03
  • ISBN 9780143124757

Media reviews

"What his most satisfying about John le Carré’s first great success—first of many, as it turned out—is how well it holds up on this, its 50th anniversary."—Jonathan Yardley, Washington Post

“The best spy story I have ever read.”—Graham Greene

“First-rate and tremendously exciting.”—Daphne du Maurier

“Le Carré is one of the best novelists—of any kind—we have.”—Vanity Fair

“Written…with a pitiless, elegant clarity. The Spy who Came in from the Cold is a first-rate thriller and more.”—Time

 

Citations

  • Library Journal, 10/01/2015, Page 36

About the author

John le Carr was born in 1931. For six decades, he wrote novels that came to define our age. The son of a con man, he spent his childhood between boarding school and the London underworld. At sixteen he found refuge at the university of Bern, then later at Oxford. A spell of teaching at Eton led him to a short career in British Intelligence (MI5&6). He published his debut novel, Call for the Dead, in 1961 while still a secret servant. His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, secured him a worldwide reputation, which was consolidated by the acclaim for his trilogy Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy, and Smiley's People. At the end of the Cold War, le Carr widened his scope to explore an international landscape including the arms trade and the War on Terror. His memoir, The Pigeon Tunnel, was published in 2016 and the last George Smiley novel, A Legacy of Spies, appeared in 2017. He died on December 12, 2020.
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel (George Smiley Novels)
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel (George Smiley Novels)

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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold : A George Smiley Novel

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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold : A George Smiley Novel
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold : A George Smiley Novel

by le Carré, John

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124757 / 0143124757
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold : A George Smiley Novel
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold : A George Smiley Novel

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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold : A George Smiley Novel
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold : A George Smiley Novel

by le Carré, John

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143124757 / 0143124757
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Description:
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Item Price
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