An Officer and a Spy
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An Officer and a Spy
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Narrated by:
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David Rintoul
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By:
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Robert Harris
About this listen
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 AudiobooksListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about An Officer and a Spy
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andy
- 19-11-13
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
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Banks
- 24-11-16
Fantastic listen, made the dog walks brilliant
This was only my second audio book, the first being The Martian so I'm going pretty well so far. Ill admit I've no idea why I went for this, I had no real a interest in the story. I basically just tapped on the sample and went for the voice. David Rintoul simply drew me into this, a fantastic narration.. got me gripped in the story line right from the off.. and I'd say I can now hold an intelligent conversation with friends regarding Dreyfuss Affair. Not that any of my friends have heard of Richard Dreyfuss. Papillion yes, Dreyfuss no. Absolutely recommended.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark
- 08-12-16
Great Story; interesting and absorbing
The narration was fantastic and really made the story and characters flow. It made me google the real event.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Edward D.
- 11-07-14
Hooked
What made the experience of listening to An Officer and a Spy the most enjoyable?
I could not put my phone down for several days. It played in the car, in the garden, even in the bath so that I could keep listening.
What did you like best about this story?
Even though I was aware of the outcome, the tension remained high.
Have you listened to any of David Rintoul’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It made me think. I couldn't start a new book for days after I had finished.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- J.E.H.
- 07-04-15
Gripping
A gripping story brilliantly read
Robert Harris at his best complimented by great narration
To be recommended as 5 star all round
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 17-12-13
Gripping political thriller
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I'm a big Robert Harris fan, and he seems to have really honed his art over recent years. He tells the involved story in an engaging way, and you develop a strong sense of what it was like to live in Paris in the late 19th century. The appalling behaviour by the French generals is played out to perfection, as is the courage of the main hero in doing the right thing. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
What other book might you compare An Officer and a Spy to, and why?
Pompeii, also by Robert Harris. Based on actual historical events, and lots of nasty Romans and politics.
What does David Rintoul bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
His performance is superb. I really grew to like the main character through David's voice. His timing and subtle delivery was excellent, and he managed to convey all the complex aspects of the story.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
I accuse!
Any additional comments?
Download it today. You won't be disappointed.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- KT
- 23-03-14
Good listen
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Yes very interesting true and based on a true story
Would you recommend An Officer and a Spy to your friends? Why or why not?
Yes good book, but quite heavy going to listen to at times and took me sometime to get into it but then I was hooked
Would you listen to another book narrated by David Rintoul?
Yes
Do you think An Officer and a Spy needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
No as based on true story
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Youngstuts
- 04-02-14
First class read and outstanding narration
This book is about the Dreyfus affair in France in the 1890s to 1906. It is based on fact although a very well written novel. I will not give away the plot although it can be found on Wikipedia. I did read the Wiki at the outset which helped although this is not really necessary.
The Narrator is the best I have heard on Audio books and I have enjoyed almost all of my listenings. He read fluently, clearly, with feeling even adapting his voice to the characters. Outstanding.
I recommend this read.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Daniela
- 26-12-13
Amazing story narration
I was hooked by the narrator after the first sentence. His ability to communicate the written word are second to none. The story was compelling if a little long winded, I felt as if it needed tightening up a little and some of the flab trimming away.
If you like historical novels a good tale exceptionally well told.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ELEANOR WHYTE
- 23-08-21
Stunning
One of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. Fascinating tale read beautifully. A great joy.
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