Le Carré Recommends – Part 3

I”m back with another addition to my growing list of books le Carré has recommended or blurbed. Catch up with my previous posts –

Part one

Part two

Here are the new additions –

The Reason Why by Cecil Woodham-Smith – JlC review – “I’m not sure why I returned to this classic account of one of the most absurd military blunders of all time: the suicidal cavalry charge of the British Light Brigade in 1854, at the height of the Crimean War. The charge was led by Lord Cardigan and ordered by Lord Lucan, who were not on speaking terms. Having been directed against the wrong target, the sabre-carrying horsemen of the Light Brigade hurled themselves against a fully armed battery of artillery with predictable results.

Spy Schools: How the CIA, FBI, and Foreign Intelligence Secretly Exploit America’s Universities by Daniel Golden – JlC blurb – “Whether you are a teacher, student or parent, Daniel Golden’s closely researched account of the assault on our academic freedoms by home-grown intelligence services is timely and shocking.”

The Game of X by Robert Scheckley – JlC blurb – “Combines ironic wit with suspense to remarkable effect.”

Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris – JlC interview – “[S]erial murder is a subject I detest. I did by accident read ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and thought it was wonderful. But it was a repulsive book beautifully done.”

Every Beryl Bainbridge novel –  JlC interview – “Most recently, [I’ve read] practically everything by Beryl Bainbridge, just for the pleasure of her ear. I read most between books, and very little fiction while I am writing.”

Speak Clearly Into the Chandelier: Cultural Politics between Britain and Russia 1973-2000 by John C. Q. Roberts – JlC foreword – “[…] John Roberts was as doughty an ally as you could wish for, a sensitive matchmaker for a writer in search of his material, steady under fire and, as this book testifies, a calm and objective witness for truth.”

Vintage Tales: Anthology of Wine and Other Intoxications edited by Cyril Ray – JlC contribution – le Carré submitted a contribution to this ode to wine.

Dark Days: The Story of Four Canadians Tortured in the Name of Fighting Terror by Kerry Pither – JlC Blurb – “Sober, well written and horrific. Grit your teeth and read. These are your rights too.”

Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win by Luke Harding – JlC Blurb – “It’s a superb piece of work, wonderfully done and essential reading for anyone who cares for his country. Amazing research and brilliantly collated.”

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben MacIntyre – JlC blurb – “The best true spy story I have ever read”

Reporter : A Memoir by Seymour M. Hersh – JlC blurb – “Reporter is just wonderful. Truly a great life, and what shines out of the book, amid the low cunning and tireless legwork, is Hersh’s warmth and humanity. This book is essential reading for every journalist and aspiring journalist the world over.”

Any Graham Greene novel – JlC blurb – “Graham Greene had wit and grace and character and story and a transcendent universal compassion that places him for all time in the ranks of literature.”

If you’ve enjoyed reading about books le Carré has recommended, you’ll want to read this post looking back on the crazy story of a fake le Carré blurb. It was quite the scandal.

Thanks again to the great folks on the Spybrary and John le Carré Facebook discussion groups who tipped me off on a couple of these.