Why did James love this book?
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.
1 author picked An Officer and a Spy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
National Book Awards Popular Fiction Book of the Year 2013
They lied to protect their country. He told the truth to save it. A gripping historical thriller from the bestselling 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 twenty thousand 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…