Skip to content

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold Paperback - 2012

by John le Carre


About this book

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a novel by British author John le Carré. Set during the political tensions of the Cold War, the revolutionary espionage novel portrays the intelligence services of both Eastern and Western nations as sacrificing morality in the name of national security. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold received critical acclaim at the time of its publication and became an international bestseller. Named “Best Crime Novel” by the Crime Writers' Association in 1963 and “Best Mystery Novel” by the Mystery Writers of America in 1965, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold was the first work to win the award from both writing organizations. Additionally, it was named the “Best spy novel of all-time” by Publisher’s Weekly and is listed as one of the All-Time 100 Novels by Time magazine.

Summary

John le Carré’s third novel—A #1 New York Times bestseller for 34 weeks—and the book that launched his career worldwide

In the shadow of the newly erected Berlin Wall, Alec Leamas watches as his last agent is shot dead by East German sentries. For Leamas, the head of Berlin Station, the Cold War is over. As he faces the prospect of retirement or worse—a desk job—Control offers him a unique opportunity for revenge. Assuming the guise of an embittered and dissolute ex-agent, Leamas is set up to trap Mundt, the deputy director of the East German Intelligence Service—with himself as the bait. In the background is George Smiley, ready to make the game play out just as Control wants.

Setting a standard that has never been surpassed, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a devastating tale of duplicity and espionage.

From the publisher

John le Carre's third novel--A #1 "New York Times" bestseller for 34 weeks--and the book that launched his career worldwide
In the shadow of the newly erected Berlin Wall, Alec Leamas watches as his last agent is shot dead by East German sentries. For Leamas, the head of Berlin Station, the Cold War is over. As he faces the prospect of retirement or worse--a desk job--Control offers him a unique opportunity for revenge. Assuming the guise of an embittered and dissolute ex-agent, Leamas is set up to trap Mundt, the deputy director of the East German Intelligence Service--with himself as the bait. In the background is George Smiley, ready to make the game play out just as Control wants. Setting a standard that has never been surpassed, "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" is a devastating tale of duplicity and espionage.

First Edition Identification

Victor Gollancz first published The Spy Who Came in from the Cold in London in 1963. First editions have no subsequent printings noted. Signed copies of this first edition sell for upwards of $3,000.

Details

  • Title The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
  • Author John le Carre
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 225
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Group, New York, NY
  • Date 2012-01-18
  • ISBN 9780143121428 / 0143121421
  • Weight 0.47 lbs (0.21 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.66 in (21.08 x 13.97 x 1.68 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Spy stories, Suspense fiction
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"What his most satisfying about John le Carré’s first great success—first of many, as it turned out—is how well it holds up on this, its 50th anniversary."—Jonathan Yardley, Washington Post

“The best spy story I have ever read.”—Graham Greene

“First-rate and tremendously exciting.”—Daphne du Maurier

“Le Carré is one of the best novelists—of any kind—we have.”—Vanity Fair

“Written…with a pitiless, elegant clarity. The Spy who Came in from the Cold is a first-rate thriller and more.”—Time

 

About the author

New York Times bestselling author John le Carre ("A Delicate Truth "and "Spy Who Came in from the Cold")" "was born in 1931 and attended the universities of Bern and Oxford. He taught at Eton and served briefly in British Intelligence during the Cold War. For the last fifty years he has lived by his pen. He divides his time between London and Cornwall.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

by le Carre, John

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
6
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$13.60
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 2012. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
A$13.60
FREE shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

by John Le Carr?

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$13.63
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2012. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
A$13.63
FREE shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

by John Le Carr?

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$13.63
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2012. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
A$13.63
FREE shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

by le Carre, John

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$13.63
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 2012. Paperback. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
A$13.63
FREE shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

by Le Carré, John

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$14.69
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
A$14.69
FREE shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel (George Smiley Novels)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel (George Smiley Novels)

by John le Carre

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - 4.1 PB extra nice +5%
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Peoria, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$19.09
A$6.15 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, January 2012. Mass Market . 4.1 PB extra nice +5%.
Item Price
A$19.09
A$6.15 shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel

by Le Carre

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good Condition
Edition
50th Anniversary Edition
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
13
Seller
Burgin, Kentucky, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$23.10
A$9.79 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin USA, USA, 2013. 50th Anniversary Edition. Softcover. Good Condition. Used in good condition. Text appears to be clean. The binding is tight. Cover has wear, scuffs, dings, corner bumps and rubbed edges. May have a small tear along the spine that does not change the condition of the book. May have bookstore stickers along the spine, front and back cover. 225 pages. Multiple copies available this title. Quantity Available: 13. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Education; ISBN: 0143121421. ISBN/EAN: 9780143121428. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 1561053004. . 9780143121428
Item Price
A$23.10
A$9.79 shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel

by Le Carre

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good Condition
Edition
50th Anniversary Edition
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
7
Seller
Burgin, Kentucky, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$30.81
A$9.79 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin USA, USA, 2013. 50th Anniversary Edition. Softcover. Very Good Condition. Text appears to be clean. Cover has some wear and corner bumps. Spine is in very good condition. 225 pages. Multiple copies available this title. Quantity Available: 7. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Education; ISBN: 0143121421. ISBN/EAN: 9780143121428. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 1561052954. . 9780143121428
Item Price
A$30.81
A$9.79 shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel

by Le Carre

  • Used
  • as new
  • Paperback
Condition
As New
Edition
50th Anniversary Edition
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Burgin, Kentucky, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$46.22
A$9.79 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin USA, USA, 2013. 50th Anniversary Edition. Softcover. As New. Like New, Text is like new, Light wear to cover from storage. Otherwise, As New 225 pages. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Education; ISBN: 0143121421. ISBN/EAN: 9780143121428. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 1561062134. . 9780143121428
Item Price
A$46.22
A$9.79 shipping to USA
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold: A George Smiley Novel

by le Carre, John

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143121428 / 0143121421
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$154.26
A$8.40 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012-01-18. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
A$154.26
A$8.40 shipping to USA