books on spies and espionage

[753C]

You must read all of John LeCarre's books. The book The Spy That Came In From the Cold, broke the mold on espionage novels for realism. Tinker Tailor soldier Spy. The Perfect Spy. The Russian House. Smiley's People. The Honourable Schoolboy, to name but a few.
Len Deighton is fun, but not in LeCarres class.

I agree with velocipede. LeCarre is easily the best I have read in this genre. I started out with The Constant Gardener and got hooked.
When I think of spys I think of this author.

 

[Russell Brooks]

Barry Eisler's John Rain series is also great. John Rain is a half Japanese-American assassin that used to work for the CIA.

 

[Media_Critic]

anhything by tom clancy!!

 

[atespian009]

I am about to begin work on a similar project for a client of mine. From what I can tell there will be significant overlap in terms of features.
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[Russell Brooks]

Vince Flynn is good too. However I prefer his earlier books.

 

[Samerron]

The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson was a good book that I read last summer. It talks about an American that has been living undercover in Afghanistan for almost 10 years... read more here.

If one is interested in recent espionage, and against terrorist attacks, then its worth reading.

 

[velocipede2288]

John LeCarre was a spy and his real name is David Cornish of Cornwall,I'm not sure.So reading his books gives you a real insite into the world of espionage.

 

[pontalba]

John Lé Carre of course. I've read all the James Bond when I was a kid, but having recently reread several, I can't highly recommend them, they seem to have lost their flavor for me at least.

Something a little new...an author Stella Rimington has written at least two, At Risk and Secret Asset. She is a former head of Britian's M15, so hopefully there is a good dose of realism. I've only read the first, and enjoyed it.

 

[velocipede2288]

John Lé Carre of course. I've read all the James Bond when I was a kid, but having recently reread several, I can't highly recommend them, they seem to have lost their flavor for me at least.

Something a little new...an author Stella Rimington has written at least two, At Risk and Secret Asset. She is a former head of Britian's M15, so hopefully there is a good dose of realism. I've only read the first, and enjoyed it.

I shall definitely have to look out for her books. Thanks for the update.

 

[velocipede2288]

I am reading Agent Zigzag. The true story of Eddie Chapman. Safe cracker, conman,blackmailer and spy. He spied for Germany and Britain. A tripplecross agent.
This gives you all the lowdown on espionage. How to make explosives, bombs, timing devices, codes, the lot.
Harry Ferguson,Ex- MI6 says...Take it from me,there are very few books that give you a genuine picture of what it feels like to be a spy. This one does.
John LeCarre simply says SUPERB.
I am really enjoying this book. Highly recommended.

 

[chiangmaifalcon]

The novels of Vince Flynn are some of the most realistic espionage novels I have read, as are the Stella Rimington books.

 

[pontalba]

I am reading Agent Zigzag. The true story of Eddie Chapman. Safe cracker, conman,blackmailer and spy. He spied for Germany and Britain. A tripplecross agent.
This gives you all the lowdown on espionage. How to make explosives, bombs, timing devices, codes, the lot.
Harry Ferguson,Ex- MI6 says...Take it from me,there are very few books that give you a genuine picture of what it feels like to be a spy. This one does.
John LeCarre simply says SUPERB.
I am really enjoying this book. Highly recommended.

I've been debating over this one on Amazon. Thanks for the nudge.

 

[velocipede2288]

Pontalba. I forgot to mention is is written by Ben Macintyre. It is a real page turner, you'll love it.