Podcasts about George Smiley

Chris and Andy talk about the news that Charlie Hunnam and Daniel Brühl are joining Matthew Macfadyen in ‘Legacy of Spies,' an upcoming MGM+ series based on John Le Carré's George Smiley spy novels (2:18). Along the way, they check in on the Warner Bros. Discovery bidding war (11:02). Later, they discuss ‘The Chair Company' Season 1 finale (20:17) and ‘Pluribus' Episode 6 (28:15). Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of The Watch and so much more! Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald Producers: Kaya McMullen and Kai Grady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kenneth Lasoen joins Lisa Burke to expose modern espionage, from cyberattacks to insider threats and the hidden power struggles shaping our world today. I wonder if John Le Carré's protagonist spy, George Smiley, could recognise the world of tradecraft today. Dr Kenneth Lasoen is one of Europe's foremost intelligence and security scholars. He serves as Associate Professor of Intelligence & Security at the University of Antwerp, Senior Lecturer at the KSI Institute, and is an advisor to governments, institutions and major corporations on national security, counterintelligence, and risk mitigation. His academic background includes degrees from Ghent, Leuven, Brunel and Cambridge; and the Belgian Royal Military Academy. Kenneth's research focuses on espionage, insider threats, economic and industrial spying, and how intelligence agencies shape geopolitics and corporate competition. He also briefs senior industry leaders on cybersecurity, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and foreign influence operations. Espionage has slipped out of the shadows and into everyday life. It's no longer a distant Cold War memory of trench coats, microfilm and whispered exchanges in European capitals. In the 2025 world, the spy wars are being fought through our smartphones, coded supply chains, university labs, satellites, corporate R&D hubs, and even the unlocked devices on our desks. Every industry is a target. Every citizen, a potential data point. Every corporation, hackable banks of information. Kenneth reveals the uncomfortable truth:
 • Allies spy on allies, because they can • Insider threats (it just takes one) can bankrupt global companies
 • Cyber incidents can cripple supply chains instantly
 • The Internet of Things is, in reality, the Internet of Hacked Things • Some of the most devastating breaches begin with the simplest human error (or human intent) Russia, China, North Korea and Iran might operate aggressively in the intelligence space, but Western governments, corporations and academia are deeply enmeshed in their own networks of surveillance, information-gathering and counter-espionage. Kenneth also brings the story closer to home: into research labs, corporate headquarters, scientific centres, and even vineyards. He explains why security failures often start from the inside, why organisations underestimate their risk, and how a single breach, digital or human, can destroy decades of innovation. There are vulnerabilities across all parts of our society that touch every citizen and business. https://ksi.institute/en/

John le Carré was still a working secret agent when he wrote The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, the book that shocked the Britain of 1963 with its portrait of espionage not as heroic but as sordid, morally compromised and utterly without glamour. In comparison James Bond's escapist world of girls and gadgets seemed naive and shallow. As a new stage adaptation of The Spy opens, its playwright David Eldridge talks to Andrew Harrison about adapting le Carré's deep, dark vision for 2025 – why he expanded the role of George Smiley – and what The Spy has to say about the West's new Cold War with Putin. • The Spy Who Came In From The Cold runs @sohoplace Theatre in London's West End from 17 Nov-21 Feb, ahead of a major UK tour in 2026. Tickets are available from https://spyonstage.com/ • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.   www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Written and presented by Andrew Harrison Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Robin Warren. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Un livre, Un lecteur. Émission présentée par Florence Berthout Elle reçoit Gilles Boyer pour parler du livre « La taupe » de John le Carré. À propos du livre : « La taupe » Un agent double russe répondant au pseudonyme de Karla s'est infiltré au plus haut niveau des services de renseignements britanniques. George Smiley, l'un des meilleurs agents secrets de la Couronne, a pour mission de débusquer la taupe et de la neutraliser. Dans les obscurs labyrinthes du monde de l'espionnage international, la tâche s'avère périlleuse... Né en 1931, John le Carré a longtemps travaillé pour le Foreign Office. Compromis par un agent double, il décide de se consacrer à l'écriture de romans d'espionnage. Plusieurs sont disponibles en Points, dont Le Tailleur de Panama et La Constance du jardinier . La Taupe est le premier volume de la Trilogie de Karla

Learn more about the John le Carré Tradecraft exhibition in Oxford revealing John le Carré's meticulous research, unseen manuscripts, and the personal life behind the spy fiction. In Spybrary Ep. 275, we speak with the curators about what they uncovered and what it tells us about the master of espionage fiction. In this episode of Spybrary , Shane Whaley hosts a conversation into Tradecraft, the new exhibition at Oxford's Bodleian Library focusing on John le Carré (David Cornwell). His guests are Professor Federico Varese and Dr Jessica Douthwaite, who co‑curated the exhibition. They explore how the exhibit reveals le Carré's working methods, personal life, and research habits. From manuscript drafts and scribbles on hotel stationery to his mother's abandoned suitcase, the conversation explores how le Carré meticulously researched his books, how he conceives characters like George Smiley, and what the curators hope visitors take away. They also discuss key artifact highlights, the challenge of selecting what to display from over 1,200 archive boxes, and deeper questions: why did he write in fiction rather than non‑fiction, and what question would the curators ask le Carré if they could meet him? Spybrary host Shane Whaley also asked the curators which John le Carré novels they recommend for those new to his work as well as how they selected the nine le Carré books on which the John le Carré exhibition is based. Key Topics / Themes The intersection of fiction, fact and research in le Carré's method Le Carré's meticulous research process (notes, drafts, corrections) The role of Jane Cornwell (his wife) as collaborator and editor The curatorial challenge of selecting from the vast John le Carré archives Personal artifacts as gateways into the life behind the author How le Carré anticipated geopolitical trends (pharma, corruption, security) The emotional impact the Tradecraft exhibition had on the author's family. The question of why he chose fiction rather than non-fiction as his medium And why did he David Cornwell choose the pen name John le Carré. Shane also thanked the curators for making the Tradecraft exhibition accessible to both le Carré scholars and to those who may never have read any John le Carré novels. Join the Spybrary Community Today

Amid growing hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza, we hear from Sharone Lifschitz, whose parents were taken hostage. The son of John Le Carre calls for other writers to tinker with George Smiley and reinvent him. Two authors discuss. Plus, Lord Kinnock on Labour woes. On the newspaper review – the broadcaster Kay Burley, the actor Adam Pearson and the classicist Natalie Haynes.

Un livre, Un lecteur. Émission présentée par Florence Berthout Elle reçoit Gilles Boyer pour parler du livre « La taupe » de John le Carré À propos du livre : « La taupe » Un agent double russe répondant au pseudonyme de Karla s'est infiltré au plus haut niveau des services de renseignements britanniques. George Smiley, l'un des meilleurs agents secrets de la Couronne, a pour mission de débusquer la taupe et de la neutraliser. Dans les obscurs labyrinthes du monde de l'espionnage international, la tâche s'avère périlleuse... Né en 1931, John le Carré a longtemps travaillé pour le Foreign Office avant d'écrire des romans d'espionnage. Il est l'auteur de nombreux romans parus en Points, dont Le Tailleur de Panama qui a été porté à l'écran avec Pierce Brosnan dans le rôle-titre. La Taupe est le premier volume de la "trilogie de Karla". " Un véritable joyau des romans d'espionnage du temps de la guerre froide. "

Nick Harkaway joins Georgina Godwin to discuss life with John le Carré as a father and carrying on his legacy with the latest installment in the George Smiley series: ‘Karla’s Choice’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we chat to thriller writer Nick Harkaway about his latest novel, Karla's Choice, and ollowing in his father John Le Carré's footsteps by bringing George Smiley back to readers.

John Le Carre's son, Nick Harkaway, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new Circus novel. They discuss the challenges (and joys) of taking on the mantel of such an iconic character (George Smiley) and writing in his father's footsteps, as well as the research it takes to get the technology of the time right. As well as lots of espionage stories, they chat about John Le Carre, his voice, his style - and why Nick decided to write this novel in the first place. The book is Karla's Choice - and you can read more about it here: It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of the West's spy war with the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only on a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall – unconfirmed and a little scandalous – that George Smiley might almost be happy.But Control has other plans. A Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and the man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found. Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task: interview Susanna, a Hungarian émigré and employee of the missing man, and sniff out a lead. But in his absence the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you take on one of the biggest literature legacies of the past half-century? That's what Nick Harkaway was asked to do after his father, David Cornwell (aka John Le Carré) died in 2020.Karla's Choice, Nick's latest in the George Smiley world puts us in a sinister world of subterfuge, Hungarian agents and 1960s London.In this interview, Nick tells us how he approached the writing of Karla's Choice, what he learned from his father - and what he had to learn on-the-job, and how he balances writing in the Le Carré world with his own books.You can get Karla's Choice here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karlas-Choice-John-Carr%C3%A9-Novel-ebook/dp/B0CZPPHPCR?ref_=ast_author_mpbPLUS: My book ‘Decoy' won ‘Book of the Year' at the True Crime awards in London last week. Judges praised the quality of the writing, the high-end research and journalism and the issues raised.You can grab a copy here: UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Decoy-secretive-historical-undercover-operations/dp/0008666814/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0USA: https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Decoy/dp/B0CS6XNB54?ref_=ast_author_dpCanada: https://www.amazon.ca/Decoy-secretive-historical-undercover-operations-ebook/dp/B0CLTGQDQJ?ref_=ast_author_dpAustralia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Decoy-secretive-historical-undercover-operations-ebook/dp/B0CLTGQDQJ?ref_=ast_author_dpWant to watch this interview? Check it out here: https://robertmurphy.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/165538997/share-center This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com

Fans of George Smiley, John le Carré's legendary spymaster, have reason to celebrate. In a rare double coup for the espionage world, Nick Harkaway—le Carré's son—has announced The Taper Man, a new Smiley novel arriving in 2026, while The Spy Who Came in From the Cold will receive its first-ever stage adaptation in the West End this autumn. The announcement marks a major return of the “Circus,” le Carré's iconic fictionalised British intelligence service, and the literary rebirth of one of spy fiction's most enduring characters. Join Spybrary - the ultimate community for spy fiction fans. The Taper Man: Smiley Heads Stateside Set in 1965, The Taper Man picks up 18 months after the events of Harkaway's bestselling Karla's Choice and places George Smiley in unfamiliar terrain—America. The novel explores Smiley's pursuit of a communist network on the US West Coast, threading together geopolitical paranoia with moral ambiguity in classic le Carré fashion. The story unfolds amid the tumultuous backdrop of the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War, with Smiley navigating tensions with the CIA ("the Cousins") while unravelling Soviet infiltrations that stretch back to the 1950s. “It's time to meet our American Cousins,” Harkaway says. “We're following the breadcrumbs of a messy debacle in Helsinki all the way to California, uncovering the truth of Karla's 1950s network and pursuing Roy Bland into the USSR.” Publishing director Harriet Bourton of Viking describes The Taper Man as “an extraordinary new addition to the iconic literary world of John le Carré,” praising Harkaway's ability to honour the legacy while making it unmistakably his own. Smiley on Stage: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold at Soho Place Alongside the novel news, spy fans will see Smiley on stage for the first time this November, when The Spy Who Came in From the Cold—le Carré's 1963 classic—premieres at @sohoplace in London. Directed by Jeremy Herrin and adapted by acclaimed playwright David Eldridge, the production follows a successful run at Chichester Festival Theatre. Rory Keenan stars as Alec Leamas, the embittered British agent at the heart of the novel, with Agnes O'Casey playing Liz Gold. George Smiley will be portrayed by John Ramm. Clare Cornwell, director of the le Carré estate, says: “We are delighted to be celebrating the return of the Circus and George Smiley through these two new projects.” The John le Carré Legacy Continued Nick Harkaway, the fourth son of David Cornwell (John le Carré), previously completed the posthumous publication of Silverview and edited A Private Spy, a collection of his father's letters. In Karla's Choice, he took the bold step of writing new fiction within the le Carré universe—an effort praised by critics and readers alike. Watch our interview all about Karla's Choice with Nick Harkaway. With The Taper Man, Harkaway deepens his claim to the Smiley legacy while expanding the geopolitical canvas of the saga. For longtime fans of le Carré, and the next generation discovering his work through adaptations and new fiction, 2025 may just be the most thrilling year since Smiley first came in from the cold.

In the shadowy depths of the Cold War, retired British intelligence officer George Smiley is called back to uncover a Soviet mole buried deep within the highest ranks of MI6. Smiley must outwit an enemy hiding in plain sight as he navigates a treacherous world of half-truths, betrayal, and old loyalties. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a subtle, cerebral, and utterly gripping masterclass in espionage fiction.   Let's get LIT!   Links & Resources: Grab your Digital Reading Journal here: ETSY or Patreon Want more bookish fun? Check out our archive of episodes! (www.LITSocietyPod.com) Shop Kari's collection of luxury literary-themed candles at www.lovelitotes.com. Find Alexis and Kari online:  Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod Bluesky — https://bsky.app/profile/litsocietypod.bsky.social Our website — www.LitSocietyPod.com. Subscribe to emails and get free stuff: http://eepurl.com/gDtWCr.

With Michael Robotham.Nick Harkaway, the son of John le Carré, is the author of eight novels. His latest book, Karla's Choice, continues George Smiley's story. In conversation with Michael Robotham, Harkaway explores the challenge of writing in the shadow and light of his father's literary legacy.Event details:Wed 05 Mar, 5:00pm | East Stage

This is how good the Book and Film Globe podcast is: five days before Sean Baker stood in front of the world and used his glorious Oscar moment to urge people to see movies in the theaters, host Neal Pollack and guest Jacob Harper discussed Sean Baker's campaign to get people to see movies in theaters. It was also a great relief to hear Neal say that Anora was the "favorite" to win Best Picture, because obviously it did. But the quest to return people to the theaters–and to have them behave themselves once they get there–continues. We will continue to support a push for a 90-day theatrical window. It will help us arrange our schedules.In addition to his great conversation with Harper, Pollack welcomes in Stephen Garrett, as he does almost every week. Pollack and Garrett discuss the amazing career, and very strange death, of the actor Gene Hackman. Hackman was one of the greatest of the Greatest Generation, a paragon of gruff, realistic acting in an era where film actors feel more plastic than ever. The celebration of his life, and the mourning of his death, gives us some hope.Our hope is a bit more muted for James Bond, now the intellectual property of Amazon. But contributor Jamie Mason isn't quite as worked up as the rest of the world. Bond has become a bit too self-serious over the years, and maybe this changing of the guard will give us all a chance to rediscover what is fun and kitschy about Bond. We can get some period pieces. The spinoff shows won't necessarily be a disaster. James Bond is not George Smiley, and Sir Ian Fleming was not John LeCarré. Make James Bond fun again, that's what we say.Enjoy the podcast!

In this episode we continue to look at Nick Harkaway’s 2024 George Smiley novel, Karla’s Choice. You can find part one here. Steven Ritterman, le Carré expert and collector, returns to talk through what we thought about this new Smiley novel. Plus, an exclusive discussion with Nick Harkaway about Karla’s choice. All that and much […]

Authorised returns for 2025 thanks to my podcast partners CSCG. We go international for the first episode of this series with author Nick Harkaway. Nick is a successful author in his own right but also happens to be the son of world famous novelist John le Carré and in this new novel Karla's Choice those worlds collide in the best possible way. Nick brings back to life le Carré's iconic spy George Smiley, a daunting task for any writer but a hugely personal challenge for the son of the characters creator. It is a fascinating and ambitious endeavour. Nick talks candidly about the ups and downs journey he undertook. Thanks to our podcast partners CSCG. When it comes to the world of finance, change is constant, whether it is tax, super, loans or the share market. The best people to help you navigate your way through all the change and make the most of your hard work is the team from CSCG. Call them on 03-9974 8333 or visit their website cscg.com.au to find out more about the range of services they offer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we look at Nick Harkaway’s 2024 George Smiley novel, Karla’s Choice. Steven Ritterman, le Carré expert and collector, joins me to talk through all of our thoughts on this Smiley continuation novel. We talk reference Jurassic Park’s famous quote “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if […]

WARREN CUMMINGS joins me to talk about the TV adaptations of the work of JOHN LE CARRÉ First broadcast on FAB RADIO INTERNATIONAL at 19:00 on December 8th 2024. For various reasons, recently I've been watching rather a lot of adaptations of the work of the novelist John le Carré, or David Cornwell as his family knew him, mostly, perhaps, because I've started reading his books, partially, of course, because SANDY made reference to him our show about ROCK FOLLIES earlier in the year, and also maybe because several of the adaptations have been made more widely available on the BBC's iPlayer service. Anyway, whatever the mysterious dark truth of those reasons might turn out to be, I've recently watched THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL; THE NIGHT MANAGER; TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY; SMILEY'S PEOPLE and also the film of his 1960s classic THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, and, at time of recording, I'm also about to give A PERFECT SPY a rewatch after several decades. Le Carré's world of spies, counter-spies, mistrust, intrigue, and intense Cold War hostilities entertained us for several decades, and mostly centred around the enigmatic character of GEORGE SMILEY, as perfectly personified in two of the television adaptations of the late 1970s and early 1980s by SIR ALEC GUINNESS, and it is mostly upon those two series, TINKER, TAILOR and SMILEY'S PEOPLE that my conversation with WARREN CUMMINGS over the course of the next slow-burning but hopefully intensely engaging hour will concentrate, but, as long as neither of us turns out to be the Mole, then maybe we'll return to talk about a few of the others on another occasion. PLEASE NOTE - For Copyright reasons, musical content sometimes has to be removed for the podcast edition. All the spoken word content remains (mostly) as it was in the broadcast version. Hopefully this won't spoil your enjoyment of the show.

This week, novelist and playwright Caryl Phillips remembers his friendship with the magnificent James Baldwin; and Robert Potts on the ingenious return of George Smiley.The works of James Baldwin'Karla's Choice', a John le Carré novel, by Nick HarkawayProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the novelist Nick Harkaway, whose new book Karla's Choice sees him pick up the mantle of his late father, John le Carré, in writing a new novel set in the world of George Smiley. He tells me why, having spent a career trying to put clear blue water between his own work and that of his father, he's now steering in the opposite direction; about growing up with Smiley; about his relationship with the man so many outsiders have seen as secretive and opaque; about seeking advice from Stephen King's son, Joe Hill; and why moving from his own style to that of his dad is just a ‘turn on the dial'.

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the novelist Nick Harkaway, whose new book Karla's Choice sees him pick up the mantle of his late father, John le Carré, in writing a new novel set in the world of George Smiley. He tells me why, having spent a career trying to put clear blue water between his own work and that of his father, he's now steering in the opposite direction; about growing up with Smiley; about his relationship with the man so many outsiders have seen as secretive and opaque; about seeking advice from Stephen King's son, Joe Hill; and why moving from his own style to that of his dad is just a ‘turn on the dial'.

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ Find the review of Back to the Future here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-08-08T15_26_59-07_00In this episode of A Lost Plot, hosts Maverick and Sean delve into the intricacies of the film 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.' They explore the film's plot, character dynamics, and thematic elements, particularly focusing on loyalty and betrayal within the context of Cold War espionage. The discussion highlights the effectiveness of the film's narrative structure, character development, and the role of the enigmatic villain, Karla. Through a detailed analysis, they examine how the film engages the audience and the various ways it presents its mystery. In this conversation, they explore its narrative structure, character motivations, and the lasting impact of its themes. They discuss the confusion created by the film's time cuts and flashbacks, the significance of character relationships, and the broader implications of loyalty and betrayal in the context of espionage. The conversation highlights the film's ability to engage audiences through its intricate storytelling and the relevance of its themes in today's world.----------Highlights:0:00 ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' Introduction5:23 Opening Scene9:17 George Smiley as the Protagonist16:15 Themes of Loyalty21:31 The Villains36:46 Time Cuts and Flashbacks45:36 Revelations and the Finale55:19 Lasting Impact#tinkertailorsoldierspy #spy #garyoldman #alostplot #filmreview #podcasting #spymovie #spyfilm #coldwar #russian #british #spyagency #infiltration #mole #distrust #catandmouse #games #spygames #benedictCumberbatch 

The works of John le Carré, who died in 2020, are among the most beloved thrillers of all time. For some, books like "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," "A Perfect Spy" and "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" are simply among their favorite works of literature ever.So it was a perilous task that author Nick Harkaway, one of le Carré sons, set out for himself. The author of multiple well-received science fiction novels, Harkaway picked up the torch from his father to write a new tale starring George Smiley, the Cold War spy who has appeared in more than a half dozen novels. According to Harkaway, it took some work to figure out the right period to set the book in."Smiley's career is a little bit tricky in terms of the continuity because my dad, when he was writing these books, wasn't writing a franchise," Harkaway said. "He was writing one book after another, and each one was the only truth that he cared about." Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Síne Quinn and Dermot Flynn have brought us a beautiful new book about Irish mythology called 'The Faerie Isle'; author Nick Harkaway tells us about his father John le Carre's life from British spy to Corkman as carries on with George Smiley; and actor Norma Sheehan came in to tell us about her brat summer after an unusually amicable divorce.

Author Nick Harkaway on taking up his Dad's iconic spy character George Smiley

The HBO series Somebody Somewhere is about a 40-something woman who returns home to Kansas to care for her dying sister, then stays, but feels like an outsider until she finds a place in the LGBTQ community. We talk Bridget Everett, star of the series, who is also an acclaimed (and bawdy) cabaret singer. Also, writer Nick Harkaway talks about his novel Karla's Choice. It's a new story about George Smiley, the British spymaster made famous in the books written by Harkaway's late father, John le Carré. Ken Tucker reviews a new biography of Randy Newman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Nick Harkaway takes on his father's iconic George Smiley series with Karla's Choice — another thrilling journey into the world of espionage. Harkaway joins us to talk about how he came to this challenge, his time working in entertainment, how he generates ideas and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Donald and Jamie.  This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                      New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app   Featured Books (Episode):  Karla's Choice by Nick Harkaway  The Spy Who Came in from the Cold John le Carré  Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy by John le Carré  The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen   Featured Books (TBR Top Off):  American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson  A Spy Among Friends by Ben Macintyre 

The HBO series Somebody Somewhere is about a 40-something woman who returns home to Kansas to care for her dying sister, then stays, but feels like an outsider until she finds a place in the LGBTQ community. We talk Bridget Everett, star of the series, who is also an acclaimed (and bawdy) cabaret singer. Also, writer Nick Harkaway talks about his novel Karla's Choice. It's a new story about George Smiley, the British spymaster made famous in the books written by Harkaway's late father, John le Carré. Ken Tucker reviews a new biography of Randy Newman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Writer Nick Harkaway grew up hearing his dad read drafts of his George Smiley novels. He picks up le Carré's beloved spymaster character in the new novel, Karla's Choice. He spoke with Sam Briger about choosing his own pen name, channeling his dad's writing style, and his stint writing copy for a lingerie catalogue. Subscribe to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Karla's Choice sees the return of John le Carré's George Smiley. Today we're joined by his son, the author Nick Harkaway, along with John le Carré fans Steve Ritterman and Matthew Bradford, Our host Shane Whaley hosts this fascinating discussion about Harkaway's foray into his father John le Carré's iconic universe, particularly his latest novel Karla's Choice. Nick Harkaway shares his unique journey of bridging the narrative gaps between familiar stories like The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, highlighting his creative freedom and the challenges of inheriting such a revered literary legacy. He explains the pleasure and pressure of developing beloved characters like George Smiley and delving into lesser-explored figures of the Circus and its enemies. Listeners will enjoy insights into the intricate balancing act of character development.. We also explore the complex relationships within the espionage world, emphasising the human element and emotional depth that drive these spy narratives. Harkaway's admiration for his father's work is palpable, and his thoughtful approach to writing Karlas Choice within the established George Smiley universe will resonate with both seasoned fans and new readers alike. Don't miss this episode packed with literary reflections, historical intrigue, and the timeless allure of spy fiction. Nick also shares more about life growing up with John le Carrè, the Circus and reveals his favourite John le Carré novels. Tune in and join the conversation on the latest chapter in the Smiley saga! Join the free Spybrary Community today and share your opinion on the return of George Smiley.

Bestselling crime author, Attica Locke, goes head to head with John Le Carre's son - Nick Harkaway - in a war of the words. Nick has written a new George Smiley novel, continuing his father's legacy, called Karla's Choice. He chats to Joe Haddow about the pressure he felt to get the character right and how he got himself in the right frame of mind to write the novel. Attica discusses 'Guide Me Home' - the third novel in her trilogy of books dubbed The Highway 59 series, featuring the Texas Ranger Darren Matthews. As well chatting about their writing and new books, they also give us some brilliant book recommendations! THE BOOK OFF"In My Time Of Dying" by Sebastian JungerVS"Tokyo Express" by Seicho Matsumoto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer Nick Harkaway grew up hearing his dad read drafts of his George Smiley novels. He picks up le Carré's beloved spymaster character in the new novel, Karla's Choice. He spoke with Sam Briger about choosing his own pen name, channeling his dad's writing style, and his stint writing copy for a lingerie catalogue. Subscribe to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

‘David at his worst was a liar but John le Carré at his best was a truth teller.' These were the intriguing words with which his biographer Adam Sisman concluded the conversation when he joined the Slightly Foxed Podcast team at the kitchen table to discuss the life and work of the writer who was born David Cornwell but who is better known to the world as John le Carré. Graham Greene, whom le Carré greatly admired, once said that ‘an unhappy childhood is an asset for a writer', and this young David had in spades. He was only 5 when he and his older brother were abandoned by their mother, to be brought up by their father, a domineering, larger-than-life conman, wife-beater and sexual tyrant, whose overwhelming personality would haunt David for the rest of his life and was the inspiration for his novel A Perfect Spy. These ‘hugless' childhood years, as David called them, were ones of stark contrasts. At one moment the family would be living like princes, the next bailiffs were in the house and their father might even be in jail. The boys were taught early on to lie convincingly in order to bail their father out, so the scene was set for the kind of double life that David would later lead when he worked for the secret service, and for the shadowy worlds of violence and betrayal that he created in his novels. It also produced a man who sought out danger, both in doing his meticulous research, and in his multiple affairs with women, a subject Adam explored in a second biography, The Secret Life of John Le Carré, published after le Carré's death. Adam speaks fascinatingly about his often tense relationship with this complex, brilliant and seductively charming man whose great Cold War novels such as The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, with their brilliant dialogue and scene-setting and their unforgettable central character George Smiley, are felt by many to far transcend the genre of spy fiction. To finish, there's the usual round-up of reading recommendations including a personal and passionate account of Putin's Russia through the eyes of a BBC journalist, Goodbye to Russia by Sarah Rainsford, and A Voyage around the Queen by Craig Brown, an exceptionally researched and hilarious biography of sorts of our late Queen Elizabeth II. For episode show notes, please see the Slightly Foxed website. Opening music: Preludio from Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major by Bach Hosted by Rosie Goldsmith Produced by Philippa Goodrich

Simon Vance affably narrates George Smiley in this first novel by John le Carré, published in 1961. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Robin Whitten discuss the thrill of listening to Vance narrate this classic mystery and Smiley's origin story. It centers around a faux suicide, East German espionage agents, and a Secret Service that prefers to sweep things under the rug. Vance's mastery of British Isles accents, especially his upper-class inflections, contributes to le Carré's vivid storytelling.  Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/251210/  Published by Dreamscape. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile's website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/    Today's episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at Brilliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m excited to welcome back Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist for the epic conclusion of our look at the BBC George Smiley radio dramas. In this third and final part we dig into The Honourable Schoolboy, Smiley’s People and The Secret Pilgrim. The best way to find a corpse, how stories differ when told […]

I’m excited to welcome back Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist to continue to discuss the BBC George Smiley radio dramas. In this second of three parts we dig into some of the biggest of le Carré’s novels – The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Plus we discuss […]

If you think that the female spy is a 20th century phenomenon - be it Mata Hari, Mrs Zigzag or Eve Polastri - think again!  Accounts of numerous 17th century 'she-intelligencers' have lain undiscovered in archives for centuries.  And these remarkable women were much more than the honey-trap accomplices of a Stuart-era George Smiley. In this edition of Not Just the Tudors, first released in May 2021, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Nadine Akkerman, author of Invisible Agents: Women and Espionage in Seventeenth-Century Britain to talk about her fascinating quest to unearth the plots and conspiracies involving women spies that have been forgotten by history.This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code TUDORS - sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.

This episode I am pleased to welcome Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist to discuss the BBC George Smiley radio dramas. In this first part we talk about Mac’s journey to writing for audio, reading le Carré and listening to the audio drams. Plus we dive into aspects of the audio format and the first […]

Hannah has absconded to New York City, but no one will go to the Beatrix Potter exhibit with her. Such a shame. No matter! We're fired up about the Newburyport Literary Festival, and ready to talk books, starting with a recap of Leigh Bardugo's brand-new "The Familiar," which Sam has decided he likes quite a bit. Maybe not quite as much as both of us like "The Secret Commonwealth," but not everyone can be Philip Pullman. Dude is just unparalleled in his ability to ask giant questions (religion! fascism!) with effortless storytelling.  Not sure Sam would say the same about Christine Ma-Kellams, whose debut novel, "The Band," is among the strangest books he's ever read and he's not quite sure what to make of it. If you at least know what we mean when we say "K-Pop," you might be into it. But Hannah is super into "I Cheerfully Refuse," the latest from Leif Enger and a novel that offers a bit of hope-punk future along with multiple sentence that just hit you right in the chest. Finally, we wrap with a look at John Le Carre's "Call for the Dead," which is a George Smiley novel, and Sam now knows that Smiley is, indeed, his greatest recurring character. If you haven't read a book from 1961 in a while, give it a shot. It's a good way to get influencer culture off the palate. 

It's a long episode this week because there's a whole lot to talk about in this excellent adaptation of John le Carre's bestselling novel. Melanie gives her top tips for writing mysteries and Valerie discusses the type of protagonist we usually find in left-brained stories. One question lingered for them both: When did George Smiley discover who the mole was?"Your opinion of George Smiley will change if you read THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, because there his morality is laid bare. His duality, or his willingness to sacrifice innocence, is more laid bare." - Melanie HillRELATED STORY NERD EPISODESThe Dry (Season 9, Episode 2) For information about Valerie's upcoming webinars, visit: www.valeriefrancis.ca/webinarsFor access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle: www.valeriefrancis.ca/innercircleTo learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website: www.melaniehill.com.auFollow Valerie on X, Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

FOOLS DISCOURSE THE PATH TO EXITING TO THE MILLENNIAL REIGN QUAT Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a 1974 spy novel by British-Irish author John le Carré. It follows the endeavours of taciturn, aging spymaster George Smiley to uncover a Soviet mole in the British Secret Intelligence Service. The novel has received critical acclaim for its complex social commentary—and, at the time, relevance, following the defection of Kim Philby. X2M.1-71 Hebrew Ethnic X2M.72-90 Israelite Covenant X2M.91-110 Seed of Abraham/Christ X2M.111-144 Starchild X2M.145-172 Starcaster, cluster, field and fighter SLIPPING THROUGH THE HOLE OF ETERNITY ”but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands.“ ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬ ‭NET‬‬ ”Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him, but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him. But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall by lowering him in a basket.“ ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NET‬‬ THE SYRIAN MINDSET ”A man of God came and said to the king of Israel, Thus says the Lord: Because the Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills but He is not God of the valleys, therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hands, and you shall know and recognize by experience that I am the Lord. [Phil. 4:13.]” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭28‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ”So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. [Deut. 30:19; Jer. 21:8.]“ Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ REIGN ”I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows–was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man–whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows– Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter.“ ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ”Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men. [Ps. 68:18.] [But He ascended?] Now what can this, He ascended, mean but that He had previously descended from [the heights of] heaven into [the depths], the lower parts of the earth? He Who descended is the [very] same as He Who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things (the whole universe, from the lowest to the highest). [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.“ Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭10‬, ‭13‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ MILLENNIAL MYSTERY “My children – I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you!” Galatians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NET‬‬ “Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you!” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NET‬‬ Gorification | The Final Frontier Going Boldly Where The Last Man has Gone Before! Decrease time over target:  PayPal or Venmo @clastronaut Cash App $clastronaut

1961's "Call for the Dead" was a striking premiere in spy fiction. Not only was it the careful, opening gambit in John le Carré's long and dominating career, it also marked the first appearance of George Smiley, the author's recurring intelligence officer of unlikely composition. Accented by a polite, unassuming conduct, Smiley is slightly overweight and a bit lovesick, too, all of which stood him in sharp contrast to the "known quantity" literary spy of the day. Drawing on his own experiences of work with Britain's intelligence services, John le Carré sculpts his inaugural text out of post-war mortar and emerging cold-war realism.

In this conversation from 2017, the master of the political thriller John le Carré spoke with Eleanor at his home in London about his novel A Legacy of Spies, which saw the return of his most famous character, the enigmatic British spy George Smiley. Carré talks about Smiley's enduring appeal, and about drawing on his own experience in Britain's intelligence service during the height of the Cold War for his bestselling fiction. John le Carré died in Dec. 2020 at the age of 89.

During the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced out of retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6.  Directed by Tomas Alfredson. The screenplay by Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan is based on the novel of the same name by John le Carré. Starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Toby Jones, Ciarán Hinds, Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Graham and John Hurt.  Listener request courtesy of Brian FOLLOW US ON LETTERBOXD - Zach1983 & MattCrosby Thank you so much for listening! E-mail address: greatestpod@gmail.com Please follow the show on Twitter: @GreatestPod Subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Podbean This week's recommendations: Call Me By Your Name (Netflix) What We Do in the Shadows (FX/Hulu)

The Academy loves a good spy flick, and so do we! This week, Shane Harris talks with Washington Post culture critic Alyssa Rosenberg about the enduring power of espionage on the big screen. Movies like Zero Dark Thirty, the Mission: Impossible franchise, and this year's Top Gun: Maverick and All Quiet on the Western Front, which both took home Oscars, help us understand global conflict as they wrestle with questions of personal morality. How do the stories of James Bond and George Smiley help us make sense of the fate of nations? And why is Hollywood finding it nearly impossible to tell stories about great power competition between the U.S. and China? Shane and Alyssa go way back, and this is a fun, lively conversation about spy stories that have resonated through the decades. Alyssa has written for years about popular culture, books, and more recently parenting. Chatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Academy loves a good spy flick, and so do we! This week, Shane Harris talks with Washington Post culture critic Alyssa Rosenberg about the enduring power of espionage on the big screen. Movies like Zero Dark Thirty, the Mission: Impossible franchise, and this year's Top Gun: Maverick and All Quiet on the Western Front, which both took home Oscars, help us understand global conflict as they wrestle with questions of personal morality. How do the stories of James Bond and George Smiley help us make sense of the fate of nations? And why is Hollywood finding it nearly impossible to tell stories about great power competition between the U.S. and China? Shane and Alyssa go way back, and this is a fun, lively conversation about spy stories that have resonated through the decades. Alyssa has written for years about popular culture, books, and more recently parenting. Alyssa's work at The Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/alyssa-rosenberg/ Alyssa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlyssaRosenberg?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorAlyssa's podcast on movies, Across the Movie Aisle: https://www.thebulwark.com/podcast/across-the-movie-aisle/ Movies discussed in this episode: Zero Dark Thirty Top Gun: MaverickMission: Impossible All Quiet on the Western Front Casino Royale Skyfall The Hunt for Red October Breach Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Chatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Survive is now on Patreon! Support us at Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod to get every episode one week early, plus monthly bonus episodes and more.   It's Boxing Day, and there's a mole at the very top of The Circus...   No, it's not a strange sequel to Wind in the Willows... Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) tells the story of George Smiley and all his friends as he tries to work out which one of them is a traitor, working under the pay of the KGB. (Smiley, it should be noted, is a member of the British Foreign Intelligence service, and it's generally quite bad when a member of the service is selling secrets to the Soviets).   We discuss the risks of falling in love; the benefits of being likeable; and the merits of mistrusting anything that's too good to be true.   All of which leads to one question: How would you survive?   This film was chosen by our Patron, Steve. If you want to help us decide the films we cover, head to Patreon.com/HowtoSurvivePod and sign up to unlock bonus episodes, early launches and more!   Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: I bet you're the best watcher in the unit. As long as you've got your specs on.   Next up we're rounding out 2022 with a few films we missed along the way.   Get in touch! HowtoSurviveShow@gmail.com   Follow us on Twitter! @HowToSurvivePod

Espionage is changing, from George Smiley's binary Cold War world into a more complex landscape. The CIA employs targeted drone killings while Russia and China's cyber capabilities interfere in elections, media and industry. How did we get here? And what does the new ambiguity in intelligence mean for global stability? In this edition Arthur Snell talks to veteran intelligence officers to find out how the CIA's “golden age” of fixing elections and fomenting coups gave way to a post-9/11 world where technology enables new threats – and Putin and the Chinese have the advantage. Support Doomsday Watch on Patreon and get every episode a week early and ad-free, plus much more: www.doomsdaywatch.co.uk “You can do interesting things with chemicals that you can't do with a knife or a gun. You can send a very clear message.” – Dan Kaszeta “How has regime change actually worked out? It hasn't worked for the USA or the Russians. Are we safer or not?” – Doug London “People would say, why don't we just kill the Libyan leader? And the answer was, Because we actually operate within the law. Things were done once that nowadays are not done.” – Lucy Kirk “The CIA went down a path of covert action and counter-terrorism… And I do believe the Agency lost its way.” – Doug London Photograph: Getty Images Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Assistant producer: Jacob Archbold. Original music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com . Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Doomsday Watch is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have another Patreon episode for you and this week, it's a John favorite: the 1979 BBC adaptation of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” We go deep into the character of George Smiley, John le Carre's critique of the British ruling class, and the idea of national “decadence.” Jamelle also spends a little time talking about the American constitutional system, so it's basically an episode where everyone is on brand.Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck.To hear the full episode, subscribe to the Unclear and Present Patreon and get access to our show on the films (and television) of the Cold War, as well special mailbag episodes, monthly entry into a movie raffle, and whatever else we can think of.