An Officer and a Spy

A Novel

By: Robert Harris

Narrated by: David Rintoul

Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Robert Harris returns to the thrilling historical fiction he has so brilliantly made his own. This is the story of the infamous Dreyfus affair told as a chillingly dark, hard-edged novel of conspiracy and espionage.

Paris in 1895: Alfred Dreyfus, a young Jewish officer, has just been convicted of treason, sentenced to life imprisonment at Devil's Island, and stripped of his rank in front of a baying crowd of 20,000. Among the witnesses to his humiliation is Georges Picquart, the ambitious, intellectual, recently promoted head of the counterespionage agency that Dreyfus had passed secrets to the Germans. At first, Picquart firmly believes in Dreyfus' guilt. But it is not long after Dreyfus is delivered to his desolate prison that Picquart stumbles on information that leads him to suspect that there is still a spy at large in the French military. As evidence of the most malignant deceit mounts and spirals inexorably toward the uppermost levels of government, Picquart is compelled to question not only the case against Dreyfus but also his most deeply held beliefs about his country, and about himself.

Bringing to life the scandal that mesmerized the world at the turn of the 20th century, Robert Harris tells a tale of uncanny timeliness - a witch hunt, secret tribunals, out-of-control intelligence agencies, the fate of a whistle-blower - richly dramatized with the singular storytelling mastery that has marked all of his internationally best-selling novels.

©2014 Robert Harris (P)2014 Random Hosue Audio

Great story

An incredible series of events. Well written. The history behind it is fascinating. Excellent narration.

Absolutely Excellent!

A well writen, and excellently narrated historical book! One of the best I have read and a good example of how we never learn from or change the patterns and powers of politicians or the press.

Superb Historical Fiction

What made the experience of listening to An Officer and a Spy the most enjoyable?

This is one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. Before listening to this audiobook I knew only the broad outline of the Dreyfus Affair. The twists and turns are amazing and exciting. It is sometimes hard to believe this all really happened. Robert Harris's writing is superb and thoroughly researched. The book has a lot of detail which added to my enjoyment. While listening I felt I was actually in France.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed learning about an important chapter of French history and the intrigue of the story. The ending is amazing and left me wanting more, despite the length of the audiobook. I had a hard time taking breaks.

Have you listened to any of David Rintoul’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have listened one of David Rintoul's performances but it won't be my last. He is an amazing narrator -- among the best I have heard. His intonation and pronunciation are perfect.

If you could rename An Officer and a Spy, what would you call it?

High Intrigue in France

Any additional comments?

I have read some negative reviews here and I must say I don't agree. I recommend this audiobook highly.

An old story with a new twist

When I saw that this was a novel about the Dreyfus Affair I was intrigued, but worried that it would be a simple rehashment of the case from Dreyfus's perspective. Harris, however, writes it from that of Col. Picard, the chief of French Intelligence. Thus we see the inside of the French military establishment and the way that institutional group-think causes otherwise good men to do terrible things. We all know the injustices Dreyfus suffered, but Harris shows us how others fall from grace when they fail to tow the party line. A fun read and one of the best historical accounts of the Dreyfus Case.

Absolutely fantastic

Very enjoyable reading. It is essentially a true story. It is very difficult to put it down once one starts.

Fascinating but too long

Where does An Officer and a Spy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the middle due to length

What other book might you compare An Officer and a Spy to and why?

THE MAN WHO LOVED CHINA by Simon Winchester--better book.

Which character – as performed by David Rintoul – was your favorite?

Rintoul did a fine job with accents and genders. I like his reading of the hero best because he presented him as heroic for his time yet managed to inflect his flaws by today's standards.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I can't see this being a film..

incredible story amazing author, fabulous narrator

this story seems to be as much of the present as of Europe over 100 years ago. the story about a bureaucracy ready to do anything to protect itself and a few people who stand against it was even more thrilling knowing that it was true.

Narration was outstanding

Story had tons of ups and downs. Once the hook was set I was all in.

You feel for the characters - even the bad guys.

Narration was maybe the best I've ever heard for an audio book.

Great book and superb narration!

This is an excellent piece of historical fiction; and the narrator's presentation brought it to life with feeling, nuance, and great French and German accents where indicated!

Historical Fiction at its very best!

A finely crafted work of historical fiction. Superb narration made the dramatization of one history's most infamous events a pleasure to recall. It also left me thinking that little has changed in the last 120 years. Highly recommended for those fond of this genre. Mr. Harris and Mr. Rintoul are fine team.