I once felt the same way you do, like a blind person groping in the dark for answers. Then, I spent some time doing research: I watched every episode of The Americans. Now, I feel like I have a very good window into the mind of the spy. It is no longer a mystery to me.
Now, it's a commitment that not everyone can make, but if you can decide today to watch all of the episodes of The Americans, you can get those answers you're after.
We've watched half of the first season and it is gripping. After reading this, I will return to it. I agree also with Andrew -- The Diplomat is amazing.
O.M.G…. I just read the book and immediately gave it to my wife. What an engrossing story!! I think I saw a review in the NYT. I sure hope she writes more.
I would add Ken Follett to the list. He wrote some great stuff before moving into the epic material. You should check him out. His standalone novels beginning in 1976 include the spy stuff Ever hear of Eye of the Needle?
“One enemy spy knows the secret of the Allies' greatest deception, a brilliant aristocrat and ruthless assassin—code name: "The Needle"—who holds the key to the ultimate Nazi victory. Only one person stands in his way: a lonely Englishwoman on an isolated island, who is coming to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life.“
Kingsbridge Books (5 books)
Century Trilogy
Re The Sympathizer on HBO… I haven’t finished it yet. Wife doesn’t really care for it. Some is great and some is kind of hokey. I will probably finish it and definitely need to read the book.
Most of Nelson DeMille’s stuff is good. I got hooked when I read Charm School many years ago. Not all spy stuff but you would resonate with a few of the characters..
I gave the Peacock and the Sparrow to my wife too. Great minds, Darrell!
I don't think I've ever read Ken Follett, but I know the name. Gonna check him out.
As for DeMille, I like his books, especially John Corey novels, starting with Plum Island. My one complaint with DeMille is that he never really ends his books, they just sorta roll over into the next one. But hey, I do buy the next one, so maybe there's a method to his madness.
I love a good spy novel , le Carré books seem more realistic. Clancy was hilarious when reading it as a non American ( I’m Irish) so I looked at these as comedies. Mike Herron is fabulous
I love John Le Carre's novels but my favorites are not the series focused so much on Smiley et al. A Perfect Spy, Tailor of Panama, Single & Single, even The Constant Gardener are some of my favorite Le Carre books.
I was never interested in the espionage novels, not even read my father's novel about Soviet counter-intelligence agents (the Soviets didn't call the "spies" for it's too diminishing) discovering UK's spies on the Baltic coast. The best Soviet spy novel (not my opinion) had been made into movie Seventeen Moments of Spring. The streets of SU were empty when that soap- opera had shown on the TV. I agree, all spy literature is "jingoistic," besides, John le Carre. His characters are wise, disappointed, sad, dramatic, in good way, and political. I am close to The Peacock and Sparrow to read. Thanks for review.
Great post! About a month ago, I wrote a tongue in cheek post a month or so ago called Spooks are Kooks. It's all about my experience with spies and their intelligence agencies.
I realized after watching the movies and TV shows with George Smiley that I wasn’t getting anything like the screenplay out of the books. With that I became one with the fact that detailed and convoluted books are no longer what I should read. Yes, I greatly admire John le Carre, but I’m not in his target readership which I’m ok with since I already finished all of his books.
I tend to avoid spy novels, largely because of the high jingo aspect (and I’m not talking Art Pepper here), but I’m willing to give this one a try. Thanks, Michael.
I look forward to reading The Peacock and the Sparrow. Thanks for the tip.
As for Tom Clancy, geez, The Hunt For Red October was fantastic. Then he got bigger and bigger, his ego right alongside until no one could rein him in. I gave up on his books long before he died for exactly the reasons you cite.
You're right about The Hunt For Red October. That was a great book. And a really good movie too, even if the Russian sub captain had a Scottish accent.
When I was a kid, my dad worked for the NSA as an engineer, had to be very secretive about his work, so my brothers and I believed he was really a spy. He still doesn’t quite deny it (and still takes his security clearances very seriously) - but he also loves Le Carre, Follett and others too :)
I'll bet that even if he wasn't a spy, the things he knew about spy tech were very sensitive. I'm also guessing that the NSA, like any other office, had lots of BS office politics. Glad to hear he's a fan of Le Carre.
1 - no but I'm going to add it to the my ever-growing list of books to read.
2 - John le Carre is my favorite, precisely for reasons you mentioned. He humanized everyone. Even at the height of the Cold War he portrayed the Circus is petty bureaucrats more interested in defending their turf than queen and country. The Looking Glass War, one of his earlier ones, is a great example.
I once felt the same way you do, like a blind person groping in the dark for answers. Then, I spent some time doing research: I watched every episode of The Americans. Now, I feel like I have a very good window into the mind of the spy. It is no longer a mystery to me.
Now, it's a commitment that not everyone can make, but if you can decide today to watch all of the episodes of The Americans, you can get those answers you're after.
I REALLY need to watch The Americans, thanks for the reminder!
And, certainly, The Diplomat.
I am living for Season 2
Season 1 was really good!
Me too!
We've watched half of the first season and it is gripping. After reading this, I will return to it. I agree also with Andrew -- The Diplomat is amazing.
O.M.G…. I just read the book and immediately gave it to my wife. What an engrossing story!! I think I saw a review in the NYT. I sure hope she writes more.
I would add Ken Follett to the list. He wrote some great stuff before moving into the epic material. You should check him out. His standalone novels beginning in 1976 include the spy stuff Ever hear of Eye of the Needle?
“One enemy spy knows the secret of the Allies' greatest deception, a brilliant aristocrat and ruthless assassin—code name: "The Needle"—who holds the key to the ultimate Nazi victory. Only one person stands in his way: a lonely Englishwoman on an isolated island, who is coming to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life.“
Kingsbridge Books (5 books)
Century Trilogy
Re The Sympathizer on HBO… I haven’t finished it yet. Wife doesn’t really care for it. Some is great and some is kind of hokey. I will probably finish it and definitely need to read the book.
Most of Nelson DeMille’s stuff is good. I got hooked when I read Charm School many years ago. Not all spy stuff but you would resonate with a few of the characters..
I gave the Peacock and the Sparrow to my wife too. Great minds, Darrell!
I don't think I've ever read Ken Follett, but I know the name. Gonna check him out.
As for DeMille, I like his books, especially John Corey novels, starting with Plum Island. My one complaint with DeMille is that he never really ends his books, they just sorta roll over into the next one. But hey, I do buy the next one, so maybe there's a method to his madness.
Corey is a man after my own heart. I just wish I could be as witty but then, Nelson does have time to craft his BS!
I loved Eye of the Needle!
I love a good spy novel , le Carré books seem more realistic. Clancy was hilarious when reading it as a non American ( I’m Irish) so I looked at these as comedies. Mike Herron is fabulous
Looking at Clancy as comedy is the right way to read him.
Except for Hunt for Red October. Sean…the master!
My all-time favorite is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The book, the movie, and the original miniseries. Love le Carre’
I am one degree separated from Clancy so I can attest he was not a great guy to know, at least in my contact’s experience. Others’ mileage may vary.
Wow, I was not expecting someone to be one degree away from Tom Clancy.
Not as exciting as it sounds!
le Carre is one of my favorite authors, and a huge influence. I always evangelize for The Night Manager.
The Night Manager rules!
FYI, The Peacock and the Sparrow is from Atria.
Adding to my TBR!
I love John Le Carre's novels but my favorites are not the series focused so much on Smiley et al. A Perfect Spy, Tailor of Panama, Single & Single, even The Constant Gardener are some of my favorite Le Carre books.
I think I've only read the Smiley novels. I need to remedy that.
I was never interested in the espionage novels, not even read my father's novel about Soviet counter-intelligence agents (the Soviets didn't call the "spies" for it's too diminishing) discovering UK's spies on the Baltic coast. The best Soviet spy novel (not my opinion) had been made into movie Seventeen Moments of Spring. The streets of SU were empty when that soap- opera had shown on the TV. I agree, all spy literature is "jingoistic," besides, John le Carre. His characters are wise, disappointed, sad, dramatic, in good way, and political. I am close to The Peacock and Sparrow to read. Thanks for review.
Glad you enjoyed this, Larisa! Thanks for your insights on Soviet spy novels. I appreciate the perspective!
Great post! About a month ago, I wrote a tongue in cheek post a month or so ago called Spooks are Kooks. It's all about my experience with spies and their intelligence agencies.
https://alwayscare.substack.com/p/spooks-are-kooks
Great minds, Paul!
I realized after watching the movies and TV shows with George Smiley that I wasn’t getting anything like the screenplay out of the books. With that I became one with the fact that detailed and convoluted books are no longer what I should read. Yes, I greatly admire John le Carre, but I’m not in his target readership which I’m ok with since I already finished all of his books.
That's totally fair! Whenever I read a John le Carre, I prepare to re-read it. His plots are very complicated.
And don't you love his voice on the page? I could read the opening of The Tailor of Panama over and over again. In fact, I have.
I tend to avoid spy novels, largely because of the high jingo aspect (and I’m not talking Art Pepper here), but I’m willing to give this one a try. Thanks, Michael.
Art Pepper high jingo for the win!
Btw, do you know this playlist? https://open.spotify.com/user/harry.bosch/playlist/4jIQE2yjmMncdhjxggKOpi?si=SlaYKx16TKSfPG5wLEvnSw
I do now! Thank you!
Thank You!
I look forward to reading The Peacock and the Sparrow. Thanks for the tip.
As for Tom Clancy, geez, The Hunt For Red October was fantastic. Then he got bigger and bigger, his ego right alongside until no one could rein him in. I gave up on his books long before he died for exactly the reasons you cite.
You're right about The Hunt For Red October. That was a great book. And a really good movie too, even if the Russian sub captain had a Scottish accent.
😂😂😂😂
When I was a kid, my dad worked for the NSA as an engineer, had to be very secretive about his work, so my brothers and I believed he was really a spy. He still doesn’t quite deny it (and still takes his security clearances very seriously) - but he also loves Le Carre, Follett and others too :)
I'll bet that even if he wasn't a spy, the things he knew about spy tech were very sensitive. I'm also guessing that the NSA, like any other office, had lots of BS office politics. Glad to hear he's a fan of Le Carre.
Have not read, but will now definitely put it on my list. Thanks!
Enjoy!
1 - no but I'm going to add it to the my ever-growing list of books to read.
2 - John le Carre is my favorite, precisely for reasons you mentioned. He humanized everyone. Even at the height of the Cold War he portrayed the Circus is petty bureaucrats more interested in defending their turf than queen and country. The Looking Glass War, one of his earlier ones, is a great example.
Hey, Michael, the spy thing sounds pretty cool - I mean, I like uncovering murky borders - that just might be my next career move.