Will I love An Officer and a Spy?

I am a great fan of Robert Harris. I have read nearly all his books, including his excellent Roman trilogy about poet and statesman, Cicero. I particularly like this book about the Dreyfus affair. There have been numerous versions of this story, both non-fiction and novels, but Harris tops them all imho. I am the author of a Holocaust themed love story called Starcrossed: A True Romeo and Juliet Story in Hitler's Paris, which required a huge amount of historical research to bring WW2 Paris to life, so I appreciate the way Harris has brilliantly researched this book, to make… show more.

With so many truly excellent novels to choose from Harris’ An Officer and A Spy makes my list largely because Harris skillfully recreates an historical period and weaves a captivating story by mixing historical fact with a compelling set of interpreted characters. In doing so, using the Dreyfus Affair, he provides us with a disturbing view of a notorious lapse in democratic justice and the moral perils of rushing to judgment.

Harris’ protagonist is Georges Picquart, head of the "Statistical Section" in French military intelligence. For me, Picquart is one of those rare, complex individuals. He is a little stodgy… show more.

A well-researched historical novel, An Officer and a Spy, recounts the infamous Dreyfus Affair in France from the POV of the chief investigator.

This accurate story highlights the government corruption, secret tribunals, and coverup of antisemitism of the time.

It reminded me of how nothing has changed, in that governments will do what they have to do to “make it all go away,” and when it doesn’t, to dig in and never admit mistakes or injustice until time has passed. Subsequent officials take over and admit the mistakes of their fathers.