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  • An Officer and a Spy

  • By: Robert Harris
  • Narrated by: David Rintoul
  • Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,292 ratings)
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An Officer and a Spy

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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Summary

They lied to protect their country. He told the truth to save it. A gripping historical thriller from the best-selling author of Fatherland.

January 1895: On a freezing morning in the heart of Paris, an army officer, Georges Picquart, witnesses a convicted spy, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, being publicly humiliated in front of 20,000 spectators baying ‘Death to the Jew!’ The officer is rewarded with promotion: Picquart is made the French army’s youngest colonel and put in command of ‘the Statistical Section’ - the shadowy intelligence unit that tracked down Dreyfus.

The spy, meanwhile, is given a punishment of medieval cruelty: Dreyfus is shipped off to a lifetime of solitary confinement on Devil’s Island - unable to speak to anyone, not even his guards, his case seems closed forever. But gradually Picquart comes to believe there is something rotten at the heart of the Statistical Section. When he discovers another German spy operating on French soil, his superiors are oddly reluctant to pursue it. Despite official warnings, Picquart persists, and soon the officer and the spy are in the same predicament....

Narrated by Picquart, An Officer and a Spy is a compelling recreation of a scandal that became the most famous miscarriage of justice in history. Compelling, too, are the echoes for our modern world: an intelligence agency gone rogue, justice corrupted in the name of national security, a newspaper witch hunt of a persecuted minority, and the age-old instinct of those in power to cover-up their crimes.

©2013 Robert Harris (P)2013 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about An Officer and a Spy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absorbing, thrilling and authentic

This was a really fantastic listen. It is a novel woven around the actual events of the Dreyfuss affair and combines historical accuracy with vividly imagined emotions and behaviour of the key characters involved. The construction and then unravelling of the military intrigue is gripping as is the personal story of Picard and the consequences of his actions on those around him.

David Rintoul's narration was perfect for the novel and I will certainly choose further audiobooks on the basis of his narration.

This book is great for those who like political thrillers or historical novels with a strong basis in painstaking factual research.

I listened to this while carrying out a particularly dull administrative task and it kept me at my desk far beyond midnight and consequently completed project ahead of target.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Robert Harris really knows how to create tension in a historical novel, where at least in general, we must know what the ending is. This is a beautifully crafted and fast-paced novel, which brings to light one of the great scandals of the19th century and exposes the French officer class as corrupt, paranoid and deeply anti-Semitic. If I could criticise at all, the courtroom scenes do drag on a bit, but for those familiar with Imperium and Lustrum, the wealth of detail revealed will compensate. Also the reader is excellent, perfect pace and very believable accents, including the very difficult (for a man) women's voices.

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enthralling story with superb narration

This book takes you immediately into scenes from history text books but in such a way that it becomes immediately engrossing and relevant for today. The subtle details which pave the way for the central character's change of heart are fascinatingly drawn for us. I also very much enjoyed the insight into the life of an early spy.
Although, I remembered vaguely what the Dreyfus Affair was about, I had to restrain myself from looking up the details to find out what became of them all! This ought to be compulsory listening for anyone studying the literature or history of that period as it brings it all to life in such a meaningful way.
The narration of this compelling story was excellent, with superb vocal characterisation.

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating and compelling - a great listen

If you could sum up An Officer and a Spy in three words, what would they be?

Unbelievable but true

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

Picquart

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had the time, yes

Any additional comments?

I'm sure the bare facts of the true story could be quite hard reading, but Harris has really brought the fascinating story of Dreyfuss and Picquart to life in this intriguing novel. The most unbelievable elements are ctually the facts about how the most senior officers in the French Army along with senior members of the government conspired to hide the truth - as unearthed by Picquart. Thoroughly recommended.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • N
  • 17-11-13

A dark episode in history brough vividly to life

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

Excellent re-telling of the Dreyfus affaire, comparable to Robert Harris's excellent "Lustrum" and "Imperium" books.

What does David Rintoul bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

David Rintouls narration is eloquent and easy to believe you are listening to the real Picquart, albeit without a french accent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I quickly realised this was a book to savour so rationed myself to a chapter a day to make it last.

Any additional comments?

For any Francophones Eric Cahms book "L'Affaire Dreyfus" gives more detail of this historical episode.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping book well read

Would you listen to An Officer and a Spy again? Why?

The book has the advantage of taking a part of history that I knew a little about and making it completely accessible. And of course Richard Harris' prose is beautifully written.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I knew something of the Dreyfus affair but I didnt know about Picquart. His journey from being convinced of Dreyfus' guilt to being the leader in bring down the case against him is clearly and belivably made. All in all an impressive man.

What about David Rintoul’s performance did you like?

David Rintoul's voice is easy on the ear. He is good at differetiating characters without decending into steriotype accents. And he had me gripped.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were a number of points where I finished reading and coukldnt wait to start again just ot find out what happened.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

the most enjoyable way to learn history

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

The portrayal of the characters, their depth and the fact that the story is true, incredible though it may seem.

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

No

Any additional comments?

The best thing you could say about this historical fiction novel, is that it spawns so much other research into associated subjects. The history of the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, the history of anti-semitism, Devils Island stories etc.
And, it renews faith in humanity to see how some people resist corruption no matter what and at considerable risk.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent stuff!

Great book, well written and narrated. Harris at his best.
A shocking story that is amazing and based almost totally on actual events. Don't hesitate to get it.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Facinating story from a different perspective

Would you consider the audio edition of An Officer and a Spy to be better than the print version?

Many of the names of people and places are of course French. The David Rintoul's pronunciation made it all the more real.

What was one of the most memorable moments of An Officer and a Spy?

There are many memorable moments, but the way in which the duel was read was excellent.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really felt for Georges Piquant throughout as I found I knew him so well.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A Real Thriller

An excellently crafted narrative of a shocking historical conspiracy, superbly brought to life by David Rintoul. I was gripped from start to finish.

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9 people found this helpful