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Your Top 3 Espionage must reads would be?
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Pranav Mehta
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Aug 11, 2008 01:15AM
Your favourite 3 Espionage must reads would be?
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John le Carré's "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold"Len Deighton's "The Ipcress File"
Erskine Childers' "The Riddle of the Sands"
Le Carre's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Deighton's The Ipcress File
Ambler's The Mask Of Dimitrios
Deighton's The Ipcress File
Ambler's The Mask Of Dimitrios
Eric Ambler is perhaps the most underrated of all espionage writers.
Eric Ambler, Alan Furst is best of current writers
Eric Ambler is wonderful. Alan Furst is just as good as Ambler. This is amazing because Ambler was living through the interwar period, while Furst is a demon on research and is excellent with atmosphere.
-The Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett-The Icon by Frederick Forsyth
-They came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie
Don't think we can leave Shelly's Heart by Charles McCarry off the list...
My absolute favourites are John Le Carré and Graham Greene. I also like Len Deighton very much.
Matthew wrote: "Eric Ambler is wonderful. Alan Furst is just as good as Ambler. This is amazing because Ambler was living through the interwar period, while Furst is a demon on research and is excellent with atm..."Alan Furst, eh? At the moment, a new name to me. Which book would be a good starting point to give me an overall "sense" of Mr. Furst?
Someone mentioned Graham Greene - a great writer who is often overlooked as a spy/espionage writer.
Alan Furst, eh? At the moment, a new name to me. Which book would be a good starting point to give me an overall "sense" of Mr. Furst? Alan Furst is an incredible writer--he says his books are more about spies, than spy novels----Night Soldiers was my favorite, but if you just want a taste of what he's like, try Kingdom of Shadows or Spies of Warsaw.
Someone mentioned Graham Greene - a great writer who is often overlooked as a spy/espionage writer. True! Graham Greene was actually a spy, most famously during World War II, most likely for his entire life. I love the way his spies are so vulnerably human. With GG, it's never just about the cause, it's about the people. Our Man in Havana was fantastic,so were The Ministry of Fear and The Human Factor.
John LeCarre and Alan Furst are my favorite spy writers. Graham Greene is my favorite writer, altogether.
I agree totally on Graham Greene. The emphasis was on people and on the internal angst of the spy rather than plotting, but he could still come up with great plots as well.He had a great knack for writing genre fiction that could work as genre fiction and work equally well as serious literature. Brighton Rock is my favourite of all his books.
Yes, his mysteries and spy novels are never just that--they always veer off into unexpected emotional territory. Brighton Rock was a tough read for me--Pinky was a such a difficult, unlikeable character. I think The Heart of the Matter is my favorite, but it's like trying to choose a favorite child.
John Rain series, by Barry EislerFault Line, by Barry Eisler
Vanished, by Joseph Finder
John Le Carre's The Spy Who Came In From The ColdRobert Ludlum's The Bourne Identity
Graham Greene's Stamboul Train
how about Daniel Silva, and Vince Flynn? these are good writers today. Daniel Silva has an amazing control on the english language and Vince has a good hero for his books. Ludlum is still king. Brad Thor is also full of espionage action. Anyone ever read gayle lynds and philip shelby?
This is a little off-topic, but since so many like John Le Carré, there's a rare and great new video interview with the master himself, from BBC 4:http://www.channel4.com/news/articles...
He doesn't give interviews often and claims this is his last, so enjoy. Thanks to fellow Goodreadsian (?) Vic for this.
On to the topic:
John Le Carré
Graham Greene
Alan Furst
(As for their books themselves, it's too hard to choose)
Steve Anderson
Easy but not limited to single books! Is that cheating?Le Carre - The Smiley Trilogy - If I must pick one then Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Deighton - Game, Set & Match - If I must pick one then Berlin Game
Charles Cumming - A Spy By Nature
Anybody read anything by Eric Ambler? What would his best book be?
Ah. well Panrubius, you have a point. When people (in the business) of a certain age are asked for a list of greatest movies, the list is usually topped by Citizen Kane. It is almost a given and to say otherwise is treason. Well, So it is with TTSS. As I age (disgracefully) I am inclined to think that Game, Set and Match, Hook, Line and Sinker and Faith, Hope and Charity are a better body of work than the Karla Trilogy. Goodness did I say that out loud? Were I catholic I would head for confession etc. There it is, I can identify with Bernard Samson but Smiley,Haydon,Alleline,Bland, Esterhase move in stuffier and more rarefied atmospheres than I. As for Oliver Lacon, I have known the Oliver Lacons of London for many years but never befriended them. They are the real people who run the UK's of this world while politicians bicker and the populace demand action, the Oliver Lacons ensure the status quo. Does that seem Bleak? Maybe so but also very real.
Doh! Sorry had more than enough of Catholicism (via marriage No. 1) Not likely to head down that route again in this lifetime. Here is one for you, Le Carre writes ......Love Stories, albeit unrequited or betrayed. The Love of Smiley,Prideaux,Alleline, Bland and Connie Sachs for country, the love of Smiley for the Lady Ann and even Haydon's love for his cause. Karla for his Daughter, the exception would seem to be Magnus Pym but then again I suppose he loved Poppy in his fashion? Lastly here is a remarkably under rated Le Carre - A Spy in Waiting. Lives in Manchester but fails to worship at the "Theatre of Dreams" how sad. lol
I would rank Somerset Maugham's Ashenden stories very highly for accuracy and for atmosphere. If you want explosive action then Ashendon does not give that sort of a buzz, but he captures the relentless grind and futility of much of human endeavour. Think of the Hairless Mexican?There is agony there as well. For those who have not read the Ashendon stories, I will just refer to the little dog howling. Those who have will know the chilling moment when all becomes clear. A great writer.
Erskine Childers' "The Riddle of the Sands" is another favourite, and here we have the suspense of what is going to happen to the light hearted adventurers. There are also the prophetic comments about chancing everything, prophetic because of Childer's own fate, when fiction and real life blended. He wrote his own epitaph almost twenty years in advance.
Ian Fleming is probably the dominating character in the genre, although his books ae the opposite to Ashendon - non stop action, next to no reality, and wall-to-wall gorgeous women. Set against that are the delightful vignettes that came from a guy who really was there.
My three are listed. Now I have some others to add to my TBR file.
1. The Honorable Schoolboy by Le Carre2. Berlin Game, Set and Match, Deighton's trilogy.
3 The Human Factor by Graham Greene
A "3's the limit" list is very very unfair.So I'm cheating a bit.
1. Tied for first: The Blind Run, See Charlie Run, and Run Around -- all Charlie Muffin novels by Brian Freemantle
(if you'all don't know these, you're in for a treat --the whole 14-book series is wonderful but these three are particularly strong. Get them on Amazon!
2. The Amateur -- Robert Littel (very overlooked but brilliant)(weaves a quiet spy/codemaster who has to get even for his fiance's sacrificial death cold war tale with the eternal who wrote shakespeare's plays riddle)
3. Smiley Trilogy tied with Little Drummer Girl, all by LeCarre
Very honorable mentions to The Berkut by Joseph Heywood, Day of the Jackal by Forsyth, Alan Furst WWII novels, Charles McCarry,Shadow Over Bagdad by David Mason, and the Sisters by Robert Littel
Cliff wrote: "Helen wrote: "Anybody read anything by Eric Ambler? What would his best book be?"I'm about two years late in answering this question, and by now you have probably answered it yourself by reading ..."
I'm glad you posted this, Helen, otherwise I would not have seen this series of responses. I was so pleasantly surprised to see Len Deighton on many posts...he is at the top of my list for his series of three Samson trilogies. LeCarre, especially The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, comes in second. Right now I'm placing current writer Olen Steinhauer third, mainly b/c his Milo Weaver sort of brings to mind Bernard Samson from Deighton. Haven't read Charles Cumming, but I know he's going to live up to the hype b/c I value the opinions of people who've praised him.
Ok, in no particular order:Shibumi by Trevanian
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John Le Carre
The Day After Tomorrow by Alan Folsom
The Secret Servant by Daniel Silva
The Jansen Directive by Robert Ludlum
The Mission Song by John Le Carre
Oops...that's 6. You're thinking...did he do that on purpose? Is he stupid? Can't he count? Or is there some hidden clue as to why he chose 6 when it clearly said 3? Could he be sending us a message? He's a "double" agent, by doubling 3 to six? Or could he be a double agent for MI 6?
Mod
1. Ashenden
2. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
There's no question how important either of these two books are.
For the third in my list? Hmmm. Not sure.
Although Erskin Childers and John Buchan were pioneers of the genre (and I hate to leave them out) I think their work was still remote enough--in kind and purpose--from the actual business of espionage. The same can be said for Eric Ambler and really, even Ken Follett.
I'll have to deliberate a little further. I might be inclined after all, to go with Ian Fleming..just don't know..
Mod
The titles that are generally regarded as his best are these:
A Coffin for Dimitrios
Journey Into Fear
The Light of Day
They all have legendary movie adaptations.
I personally vote for the exotic,
'Passage of Arms' which is set in SE Asia.
Ambler writes about everyday, normal people getting caught up in intrigue. He has a crisp, laconic style and sets his tales all over the world.
"Helen wrote: "Anybody read anything by Eric Ambler? What would his best book be?"All of them
My top 3 Espionage must reads...i) The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré (LOVED IT!!!)
ii) The Trinity Six by Charles Cumming
iii) The Company by Robert Littell
John Le Carre: Tinker, taylor, soldier, spy Len Deighton: Funeral in Berlin (- as well as the other Patrick Armstrong/Harry Palmer books)
Ian McEwan: Sweet Tooth
1. The first six books in the Quiller series by Adam Hall
2. The next six books in the Quiller series by Adam Hall
3. The Last seven books in the Quiller series by Adam Hall
Imho they are absolutely brilliant, unique and classics.
2. The next six books in the Quiller series by Adam Hall
3. The Last seven books in the Quiller series by Adam Hall
Imho they are absolutely brilliant, unique and classics.
Bob wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Eric Ambler is wonderful. Alan Furst is just as good as Ambler. This is amazing because Ambler was living through the interwar period, while Furst is a demon on research and is ex..."Bob, I am deathly jealous of you. You are in for a treat. Furst's first was Night Soldiers, and Dark Star was his second. This is no James Bond, it is noirish, highly atmospheric, intelligent and superbly researched.
Pranav wrote: "Your favourite 3 Espionage must reads would be?"Without repeating an author:
John Le Carre Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Alan Furst Dark Star
Robert Harris An Officer and a Spy
Mod
Fine enthusiasm there. I'm making my way through this series. It is indeed, off-the- hook! Much more edge-of-seat than I assumed from the first title.
Espionage Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (other topics)Dark Star (other topics)
An Officer and a Spy (other topics)
The Honourable Schoolboy (other topics)
The Trinity Six (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
John Le Carré (other topics)Charles Cumming (other topics)
Robert Littell (other topics)
Steve Anderson (other topics)
