Smiley's Circus: A Guide to the Secret World of John Le Carre Hardcover – Illustrated, January 1, 1986

For big time fans of Le Carre in general and the "Circus Series" in particular this is a must have book. I have a paper version that I have had for decades and i have loaned it out dozens of times and it is barely held together with tape. I was very thrilled to find a replacement used hardcover version. Now I can loan out my old beat up paperback while keeping this copy home and safe.The book contains plot summaries, timelines, descriptions of all the characters and a glossary of Circus terms.

The books is an excellent companion book to the novels of John LeCarre that feature George Smiley. It gives nice background and helps to put the various characters and places into some order. It has one major weakness and that is it doesn't cover the works involving the Circus and Smiley after "Smiley's People" - The Russia House and The Secret Pilgrim are two big holes. Perhaps someone in the future can help fill them in?

As a die-hard Le Carre fan, I used this wonderfully comprehensive guide as the theme for one of my many visits to London and had a terrific time doing it. But even for an arm chair traveler, it is a well written, encyclopedic guide to all things Smiley and a way of catching details of the Smiley novels that one might miss on first readings.

If you have read any of the Smiley stories, you need this by your side; it not only clarifies but is a great addition to your LeCarre library.

A very good print. I have been looking for this book for years.

Background and detail annotations to the characters, events and places mentioned in John LeCarre's books about spies starring George Smiley.

excellent

If like me, you love John le Carre novels, but in particular, the shadowy world of The Circus,(the fictitious special department of the British Intelligence Service,) then this book, first published in 1986, is an absolute goldmine!In a thoroughly authentic style, perfectly encapsulating the essence of the novels, David Monaghan provides a detailed analysis of the Circus', charting people, places and events through seven novels starting with 'Call for the Dead' and culminating with 'Smiley's People'. (At the time of writing, The Secret Pilgrim had yet to be published.)Scanning the contents, you feel akin to Guillam, investigating the Circus mole, furtively trawling files for classified information... and what intelligence is yielded: a history of major operations and their chronology; the hierarchy of the Circus, as well as a 'Who's Who - Biographies of People, Places and Particularities'. Photographs and maps of recognisable locations are also included.David Monaghan diligently ties together the threads that run through each story. So convincingly does he write, you have to remind yourself that even this book is a work of fiction!I cannot believe that no one in the UK has yet reviewed 'Smiley's Circus'! If, by the way you are just starting to read 'The Circus' novels or watching the latest film, then Monaghan's book will provide a valuable guide. Be warned, however, it does contain spoilers!

If you like 'Smiley' this is the book for you.This is a character one wants to know everything about him.If only la Carre would give us more.

Loved the books enjoyed this further stroll into Smiley's world.