60 Minutes archives: Le Carré

John le Carré was the pen name of David Cornwell, an ex-spy for Britain's famed MI6, whose page-turner spy thrillers made him one of the most successful authors of the past 60 years. Steve Kroft reported on him in 2017.
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[@fionaphillips3458]

The man had a way with words and a quiet integrity that was admired greatly and shone throughout his novels. He will be sadly missed by this reader.

[@bosvigos9165]

Thirty odd years ago, while living in Cornwall, my step father was looking for a desk for my mother’s birthday. Speaking with a friend in antiques, he was sent to see David Cornwell. The deal was done. My mother loved it and now it is mine and I use it daily. I often wonder of the books written on it. Thank you sir!

[@susanmo8417]

How amazing is that, to own a desk by such an acclaimed writer!

[@guaguancos.montunodcubop8923]

Wow absolutely incredible. A piece of history ..and from 1 of history's artists.

[@sararichardson737]

That’s beautiful. I’ve just discovered him. Finished listening to the Pigeon Tunnel. Now to start in on the oeuvre.

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

If you can establish provenance such a desk could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[@hughmac13]

@@sararichardson737 How has it been going? What have you read so far?

[@TheLightofAniu]

A writer who got me through some dark times over the years, especially in the Smiley novels. He was always a man with whom you could be comfortable, even if Smiley was not comfortable with you. “A Legacy of Spies” was a real treat to read. I was floored by the news of his loss, and I feel slightly more vulnerable now this scathing observer of the human condition is no longer with us.

[@forester2845]

Love your description of smiley!

[@morpheusk1150]

Wow?, I fell in love with this man over the course of this interview. What a brilliant colorful life.

[@cutzymccall7675]

Same here.

[@9erner]

Me to...

[@carringtonlefayette8644]

I concur with your sentiment. Australia 1.39am

[@jamesbrowning206]

What a wonderful, gracious man he was. A brilliant mind and a master of the English language. Mr. Cornwell did not like to give interviews, but he was a fascinating interviewee full of wit, humor, and intelligence. I could have sat and listened to him all day long. He left a legacy that will last forever. Rest in peace David Cornwell...and George Smiley.

[@suemarshall6185]

You'll find more interviews with him on yt

[@jamesbrowning206]

@@suemarshall6185 Yes, there are quite a few. I really liked this 60 Minutes interview coz he was at his country home where I think he felt totally relaxed during the interview. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

[@bettsims6691]

nashville evidence chinese inside job or lazer attack you decide - worldtruthvideos.org/watch/DCHh2StxbOT6tqd

[@user-qc8vj3vp9v]

Glad he revealed A LOT before he died. All those atrocities inflicted on innocent people based on fabricated lies, inflated egos, power and GREED. The world is definitely in trouble and will NEVER KNOW PEACE if these savages remain in power to govern the masses. They surely hate peace as NOTHING, absolutely nothing they do promotes or encourages peace and understanding. So sad.😢😭

[@suemarshall6185]

@@user-qc8vj3vp9v I think he was working with Trump. He knew a lot about the CIA in Germany (The Secret Pilgrim ch6) Have you watched this? : kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIDMkqyjpsaEmsU

[@Tom05181961]

George Smiley has been a constant companion in my life since I stumbled upon him in 1979. He will be missed. RIP!

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Was there ever a more intelligent man who can be as honest as John Le Carre? Can't wait to read his novels with more appreciation than I had so many years ago.

[@PAlex-us4ov]

I've come across Mr Cornwell's books during the last few years and have been really impressed by the very high standard of his writing. In my view there is no comparison between his spy thrillers and most other authors. R.I.P.

[@pwoolveridge1]

could listen to him four hours.....

[@cappsginny699]

What about five hours?

[@randyhutton9371]

@@cappsginny699 in Daylight Saving Time.

[@abrarcalculas]

Such a great loss. Can't imagine there won't be any more tales of George Smiley. Thanks for all the hours of joy and thrill your books brought me over the years.

[@TheMobileHomestead]

John le Carré has got to be the greatest literary expert we've seen in a long time ... his wonderful stories weren't just interesting spy stories ,they were perfectly painted pictures of the human condition ....

[@sarahalbers5555]

I loved all of his books, The Constant Gardner is my favorite. Amazing gentleman.

[@alejandrowaizel3750]

As said in the introduction, a great successor of Graham Greene.

[@miadelavier4315]

my god, this is the most eloquent man i've heard, the way he talks is brilliant, it has its structure , intelligence and is well conducted. no surprise he is a brilliant writer. you always recognize a good writer by the way he talks and narrates the sentances. But also: Those eyebrow needs scissors !!!

[@ktb183]

David, you will be much missed. Thank you for all wisdom left behind. RIP.

[@gavtronics]

This is what a man of courage and imagination looks like. Contrast with Bojo, with Blumpf.

[@willsumnall3499]

Boris Johnson is exactly the privately educated Englishman described by George Smiley in the quotation in the video.

[@waltergodsoe5526]

Over the years I could always look forward to his next book, I'm heart broken that this intellect will no longer bestow his gifts of insight

[@angellosmalefakis1321]

What an amazing author. What a life. Love his place by the ocean. Ahhhhh.

[@bettsims6691]

nashville evidence chinese inside job or lazer attack you decide - worldtruthvideos.org/watch/DCHh2StxbOT6tqd

[@Diggers57]

Fabulous interview, delighted to have found and watched it.

[@cbwavy]

So many times I had to pause and look up words. I think his command of the English language is beyond anyone I've ever heard before.

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

Which ones?

[@tmac8892]

Indubitably

[@MelesaEFary]

From this interview, I can see why he was so successful writing books. When describing his childhood, I was enchanted by the depth and vocabulary of his description. The "condrunum" of understanding his father!

[@zyzzyvacation]

At age 89, Le Carré (b. David Cornwell) went out on a good note with the excellent TV series "The Night Manager" in which he also had a cameo as a disgruntled restaurant customer. During his life he had worked for both MI5 (NSA) and MI6 (CIA), the UK's Secret Intelligence Services

[@suemarshall6185]

I have always thought that he resigned to work for Q

[@zyzzyvacation]

@@suemarshall6185 Actually he's not unlike the late actor Desmond Llewelyn, the original "Q" in the James Bond movie series www.imdb.com/name/nm0005155/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

[@suemarshall6185]

@@zyzzyvacation Well, Cornwall said he had to reinvent himself. Makes sense.

[@alexrowan2774]

MI5 is all about domestic security and counter intelligence. Their closest US equivalent would be the FBI, but without the power of arrest (they bring in Scotland Yard's Special Branch for that) and/or Homeland Security. The Brit equivalent of the NSA is GCHQ.

[@DeedUNo]

The last great English moralist, RIP John le Carre.

[@smkh2890]

The comparison with Graham Greene is spot on.

[@ianpaternoster1396]

One of the best writers ever. R. I. P. David Cornwell.

[@SierraNovemberKilo]

"Everything in life is transient" - there you have it.

[@darkknightwithanidea1845]

A master of the ART ! What a brilliant interview. Thank you.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Another comment if you please. The interviewer and his. subject are to be congratulated. So very rewarding. Also a great lesson in speaking the English language.Bravo!

[@martind349]

He is why millions of people in this world are not quite stupid

[@carlhicksjr8401]

What a wonderfully simple and complex man. For a 'born liar', he's awfully self-effacing and honest about himself. He seems to have taken the lessons of a rotten childhood and translated them into a certain pedigree. I'm going to have to revamp my list of the 'one hundred people I wish I had known'.

[@belindaroberts1730]

God bless him...what a wise and humble man!

[@justmyopinion9883]

I have never been a fan of spy novels. But, I am going to ask for a few of Mr. Cornwell's books at the library---he sounds like a great writer.

[@justmyopinion9883]

@@cherienafo7676 Thank you. 😊

[@carringtonlefayette8644]

Bless you David for all your wonderful books.

[@annchristine47]

The wonderful thing about John LeCarre is as well as being a brilliant writer ,he is an equally brilliant narrator.

[@CDMVIDZ]

💯 His narration of THE SECRET PILGRIM, one of my favorite and most wildly underrated le Carré books, is superb. He had such a talent for voices and accents, just a brilliant narrator.

[@michealcurrie8272]

A master of perception. Thank you. R.I.P.

[@kimqadir7543]

I have read all the books and some over and over again. Thanks!

[@lyndaaustin6190]

what a brilliant interview and a great man

[@parimabartender]

Spy who came in from the cold is an amazing book. Read it in prison.

[@mundi352]

Incredible book..the film starring Richard Burton is brilliant in its own way.

[@ashleerenaelarsen8543]

Amazing name

[@mundi352]

@@ashleerenaelarsen8543 yes

[@kristine6996]

David Miscaviage, well you are now in from the cold I hope? ❣️🌳🎄❤️

[@cappsginny699]

Mr Scientilogy...?

[@jeanpaulsara1074]

Total mensch. Love him even more now.

[@GirlFriday68]

Hugh Laurie as Richard Roper in the "Night Manager " on Netflix... that's the perfect character played perfectly by Laurie.. in a perfect spy novel by le carre.... the real person not the nome de plume.. he is le carre.. thank you for your brilliant work

[@GirlFriday68]

@@cherienafo7676 yes the Netflix adaptation is brilliantly acted does the great writing justice

[@smokyondagrass2353]

Rest in piece smiley, rest in peace

[@andrewsunderlandbeauclair]

Such a loss. Rest in peace.

[@thomasduggan8755]

VERY WELL DONE WE WILL NOT SEE HIS LIKE AGAIN BEST WISHES FOR 2021!

[@rtsamuel3]

Great interview; thanks for this.

[@CS-px9rr]

What a gem of a man, I could listen to his wit all day long. No wonder he wrote such amazing novels

[@Bphillips2808]

I will never be as cool as this guy. RIP

[@darciawright2583]

What a well spoken man!

[@canyonroots]

The best part of Le Carre is listening to him read his novels.

[@lourdescisneros6768]

Outstanding interview.

[@Tariacurie]

Rest in Peace Spy Master 🕵🏻

[@bronzedisease]

Le Carre was not just a genre fiction writer. Some of his works are some of the best English literary fiction. Some of his works are surprisingly challenging to read.

[@ethanmorris8108]

Him and Rushdie are probably the smartest writers I have enjoyed

[@nejuw]

What a cool man.

[@JuanFelipeCalle]

Around 23:00 he's asked why turned down a knighthood. At around 23:15, he says (I think), that he "finds it [being knighted] emetic." Kroft doesn't ask what "emetic" means, but I was curious, and I looked it up: Emetic means vomit-inducing.

[@JohnLutherable]

currently rereading The Honourable Schoolboy and I'm still amazed by JLC's ability to write an incredibly varied cast of characters, who are at best side ones, each with their very distinctive voice, in the book's first ten pages. Ten out of 500! Such a superb novelist and storyteller with immaculate prose and not devoid of humour

[@lagaman11]

Am I the only one here who had to look up "anathema" and "emetic"? Wow, who knew such words existed in the English language, much less how to use them seamlessly, and perfectly, in common conversation. This man is so very intelligent. We need more intelligence like his in the world today.

[@00calimon]

@Yung Kai condescending much? Why not desire to have more inspirational people?

[@lagaman11]

@Yung Kai Yes, you are most likely correct, but I can learn, and I am trying.

[@lagaman11]

@Yung Kai No worries. Hey, look at that, I learned another word! Hope you have a good day!

[@jf5336]

Have loved his work for decades, RIP David.

[@SuperMageo]

12:10 Cornwell knows exactly how to enjoy life. Look at that view!

[@calvindusava5912]

"Like a dedicated alcoholic I think the last drink won't hurt."

[@allergictomediocre8989]

Wow. Lucky escape to Cornwall.

[@cbwavy]

Would have liked to be around his Dad, Ronny. It sounded like he lived in a whirlwind.

[@drparnassus2867]

Ronnie Cornwell was an associate of the Kray Brothers at one point. I think he could be very charming but ruined a lot of people's lives. Typical fraudster

[@tiptoethroughthetulips9428]

He is sorely missed in this dark time.

[@julianparks8485]

Excellent!

[@ericrawson7669]

RIP David (AKA John le Carre) and thanks for the memories.

[@markmalic7450]

Legend Goodbye to the real C R.I.P

[@sarahalbers5555]

I love Le Carre. I love to read and re-read his magnificent books. I think "The Constant Gardener" is one of the best books ever written.

[@DaveSCameron]

Rest well Sir, you lived a life worthy of your parents... I must add that anyone seeking an in to spy novels and the adroit world of must devour his work, with its intricacy and slowly built characters it shies away from sensationalist fabrications simply to give us a peerless picture of the Great Game...

[@twilde3754]

Great interview! What an interesting writer and human being. I was completely spellbound...and I have never read one of his books. I will now being a Cold War Baby and all.

[@samuelbcn]

Excellent programme.

[@willmoore8708]

For years, my ignorant relative, would go on and on about James Bond. I slapped "Tinker..." in the DVD for him, he never said that stupid JB name again in my presence.

[@sclogse1]

The early books were memorable and fun. The movies turned them into candy.

[@geoffreynhill2833]

Well done! Le Carré was REAL class!

[@geoffreynhill2833]

...and should be "required reading" in US schools!

[@caseykunz7800]

The way he speaks, his words... are very poetic.

[@57_a_sarthak22]

"I want to die with a pencil in my hand"- John le Carrè

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

Wonder if Cornwell did?

[@57_a_sarthak22]

@@tmmartinesq.6216 i really like to imagine he did

[@JamesBlevins0]

A unique literary voice. Rest in Peace.

[@adamreich745]

Brilliant. Refreshing. My only wish would be that we could have another interview. I suppose I will have to “settle” for dusting off and opening one of his old books.

[@bullwinklejmoos]

Yes, George Smiley lives on.

[@Jeneva1]

The Russia House was an exquisite film. John Le Carre was one impressive gentleman. Rest in peace, Sir... .

[@marthawoodworth4380]

I've read everything, but "The Perfect Spy" and "Tinker, Tailor" are my faves. "The perils of charm"...his father, a con-man extraordinaire. "Natural criminality" - a perfect childhood for him. "Nowadays I tell the truth." And sadly, that makes his later books less than great, at least as I read them. Nothing has the verve of the deep-spy novels.

[@lindacole7393]

Agreed - Perfect Spy and Tinker Tailor are the very best two.

[@MsV_English.Literature]

The Master of Spies / Spooks. My favourite spy writer. I usually read TINKER, TAYLOR at least once a year. Love his humour and his humanity.

[@damarisrodriguez5118]

What a wonderfully charming man.

[@dylans702]

This dude is fascinating

[@r.d.493]

While I had heard of Mr. Cornwell's novels prior to his death, his personal and professional background revealed in this interview has prompted me to add them my list of future reads.

[@mr.barnes9342]

I was hoping he would live long enough to see Gary Oldman reprise his role as George Smiley which was absolutely a beautifully complicated performance of his character.

[@randyhutton9371]

Check out Alec Guinness in the BBC's 7-part 1979 TV adaptation.

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

Awe...He’s GEUINE. Why? HE HAS EMOTIONS. SEASONS IN LIFE REALLY CAUSES A DEPLETION. BUT HE DOES NOT STOP! ❤️

[@angieg3624]

The ending, was so precious and meaningful 🙏

[@sclogse1]

An excellent experience watching this. Read. There's a book by one of the scientists at MI5 that's about discovery of a mole, and the difficulties of competition with MI6. Has all the tasty stuff too. The installation of spyware in embassies while they're being built. Any of you know the name?

[@wahmaeelspiqqus9423]

You might be thinking of Spycatcher

[@romanclay1913]

A PERFECT SPY reveals much about his flim flam father.

[@michelesfo7799]

RIP dear sir. Humble and intelligent. ❤️🙏

[@triciah8598]

Amazing gentleman. Amazing eyebrows

[@CDMVIDZ]

Those eyebrows are absolutely epic, aren't they?

[@jamiehinch9239]

What he has said about Putin has come true, a very prescient man who could see what was coming down the line. RIP David.

[@laurietyer9437]

🌹love 💘 this man

[@MegaMARLEEN1]

Interesting, entertaining and beautiful interview Wow

[@us-Bahn]

There seems to be a connection between Cornwell and the American experience, which he alludes to when he says he had to re-invent himself. This is a core theme in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘Gatsby’. Cornwell even has Roy Bland ask Smiley “who was it that said an artist is a person who can hold two fundamentally opposing views and still function?” Smiley answers correctly, because Cornwell was well read. And Bland replies, “he knew a thing or two.” And it’s probably also no coincidence that Karla named the mole “Gerald” echoing again the idea of an invented persona in the context of the Circus.

[@Mutasis_Mutandis]

Truly a deep thinker. He will be missed.

[@SolaceEasy]

I love how he implies that all honors are emetic.

[@nadiarogmati2184]

I don't even know what it means.

[@bitterandcynical]

I had to look it up. “a medicine or other substance which cause vomiting”. A very British way of saying honors make him want to puke 🤢😃

[@nadiarogmati2184]

@@bitterandcynical waw, thank you. He doesn't even seems to be humble. He just proved the opposite. He was and always be intriguing forever.

[@sudeeptobasu620]

R.I.P. John Le Carré The Legend.

[@Threemore650]

Great writer and the kind of Englishman that I’m proud to call a countryman. I’d love that house! How wonderful to live there.

[@alexgoslar4057]

A great writer, he will be thoroughly missed.

[@ianpaternoster1396]

I love all his novels. Although my favourite is Silverview, the one published posthumously.

[@bunabear]

I’m a new fan!

[@yossarianmnichols9641]

He created fascinating characters including himself and his father. Did not know how widely his books have been translated. Seems like he found a universal truth that everyone wanted to see.

[@daniellecomeau2996]

So nice to see this 60 Minutes piece again. But it is so unfortunate that KZbin is just barraging everyone with an absurd amount of commercial interruptions.

[@cherylforfang8671]

Wonderful interview. Intriguing and interesting man.

[@hsiadarb8062]

Intelligence is gifted to so few but wasted on the many....

[@josephharley9448]

Great man

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

John le Carre has one of the richest soothing voices i have ever heard its on par with Morgan Freeman

[@CDMVIDZ]

It's gorgeous, isn't it? I've recently developed a maddening case of tinnitus and cannot sleep without some other sound in my ears. For months now I've been listening to le Carré narrating The Pigeon Tunnel as I fall asleep, and it's lovely.