This week, novelist John le Carre passed away at the age of 89. He was known to readers around the world for his political espionage thrillers, many of which became terrific movies: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and The Man Who Came in from the Cold. Le Carre, who was himself a spy for Britain, was cynical about the profession, and even more so about the Cold War that kept the spy business going.Le Carre’s novels are often described as tragic. His stories laid bare the futility of the 40-plus…