About the book
The undisputed master of espionage fiction returns with a riveting book—his first Smiley novel in over twenty-five years.
The Cold War years are history. Peter Guillam, once the effervescent colleague and confidant of George Smiley, head of the British Secret Service's Covert Operations, has retired to manage the family farmstead in remote Brittany. So why does his former Service, once called the Circus, summarily demand his presence in its hideous new bastion beside the River Thames? And why is he being held to account for the deaths of his old pal Alec Leamas and the hapless Liz Gold, shot dead at the Berlin Wall?
As Guillam is forced relentlessly into his own past, and old names come back to claim him—Bill Haydon, Percy Alleline, Toby Esterhase, Jim Prideaux, Connie Sachs, and George Smiley himself—it becomes clear that perceived sins committed in the name of a forgotten necessity have by no means disappeared into the past where they belong; and that Peter Guillam, in the eyes of his accusers, is responsible for all of them.
In a story palpitating with tension, humor, and moral ambivalence, le Carré and his narrator Peter Guillam present the reader with a legacy of unforgettable characters old and new.
Editions of A Legacy of Spies
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780735225114
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780735234529
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780735234543
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780735236738
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780735225138
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780525501305
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780525505488
- EBook
- ISBN 9780735234536
- EBook
- ISBN 9780735225121
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780525498513
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780525498537
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780525634942
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780525498520
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780525498506
Read an Excerpt
The undisputed master of espionage fiction returns with a riveting book—his first Smiley novel in over twenty-five years.
The Cold War years are history. Peter Guillam, once the effervescent colleague and confidant of George Smiley, head of the British Secret Service's Covert Operations, has retired to manage the family farmstead in remote Brittany. So why does his former Service, once called the Circus, summarily demand his presence in its hideous new bastion beside the River Thames? And why is he being held to account for the deaths of his old pal Alec Leamas and the hapless Liz Gold, shot dead at the Berlin Wall?
As Guillam is forced relentlessly into his own past, and old names come back to claim him—Bill Haydon, Percy Alleline, Toby Esterhase, Jim Prideaux, Connie Sachs, and George Smiley himself—it becomes clear that perceived sins committed in the name of a forgotten necessity have by no means disappeared into the past where they belong; and that Peter Guillam, in the eyes of his accusers, is responsible for all of them.
In a story palpitating with tension, humor, and moral ambivalence, le Carré and his narrator Peter Guillam present the reader with a legacy of unforgettable characters old and new.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Legacy of Spies about?
The undisputed master of espionage fiction returns with a riveting book—his first Smiley novel in over twenty-five years.
The Cold War years are history. Peter Guillam, once the effervescent colleague and confidant of George Smiley, head of the British Secret Service's Covert Operations, has retired to manage the family farmstead in remote Brittany. So why does his former Service, once called the Circus, summarily demand his presence in its hideous new bastion beside the River Thames? And why is he being held to account for the deaths of his old pal Alec Leamas and the hapless Liz Gold, shot dead at the Berlin Wall?
As Guillam is forced relentlessly into his own past, and old names come back to claim him—Bill Haydon, Percy Alleline, Toby Esterhase, Jim Prideaux, Connie Sachs, and George Smiley himself—it becomes clear that perceived sins committed in the name of a forgotten necessity have by no means disappeared into the past where they belong; and that Peter Guillam, in the eyes of his accusers, is responsible for all of them.
In a story palpitating with tension, humor, and moral ambivalence, le Carré and his narrator Peter Guillam present the reader with a legacy of unforgettable characters old and new.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A Legacy of Spies?
Fiction > Thriller / suspense fiction > Espionage and spy thriller
Where can I read a sample of A Legacy of Spies?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780735225114
Is A Legacy of Spies part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series George Smiley
Who is/are the Author/s of the book A Legacy of Spies?
John le Carré
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
A Legacy of Spies is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780735225114) and hardcover(ISBN 9780735234529) and paperback(ISBN 9780735234543) and paperback(ISBN 9780735236738) and paperback(ISBN 9780735225138) and paperback(ISBN 9780525501305) and paperback(ISBN 9780525505488) and ebook(ISBN 9780735234536) and ebook(ISBN 9780735225121) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780525498513) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780525498537) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780525634942) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780525498520) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780525498506)
Where can I buy A Legacy of Spies online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy A Legacy of Spies from below
Where can I buy A Legacy of Spies?