Skip to content

An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris

Introduction

An Officer and a Spy

A Novel by Robert Harris

An Officer and a Spy is a spy thriller novel written by Robert Harris, published in 1990. The book follows the story of James Greer, an MI6 agent who infiltrates a German prison camp during World War II to gather intelligence on Nazi atrocities.

Key Facts

  • Published in 1990
  • A spy thriller novel set during World War II
  • Features a complex plot and multiple characters
  • Won the Whitbread Book Award for Best Novel in 1991
  • Adapted into an ITV television series in 2002-2003

Historical Context

World War II

Germany's Nazi Regime

In June 1940, following the fall of France to German forces, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party consolidated their power. The war would become a global conflict involving many countries.

  • Key events: Battle of Britain (July-October 1940), D-Day (June 6, 1944)
  • The Allies' strategy involved invasion and airpower against Germany

Prisoner of War Camps

Operation Fortitude

In the early stages of World War II, British and American forces created a large-scale deception operation to deceive German forces about the true location of D-Day landings.

  • Code name: Operation Fortitude
  • The Allies' plan involved creating fake intelligence reports and radio transmissions
  • Realities were obscured by simulated weather conditions and misdirection

Spy Mission

James Greer's Infiltration

James Greer, an MI6 agent, infiltrated a German prisoner of war camp in Normandy to gather intelligence on the Nazi regime.

Key Facts (continued)

  • The novel explores the psychological effects of war
  • Greer's mission is motivated by personal and professional reasons
  • He becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth

Nazi Intelligence Operations

Operation Tannenberg

In 1943, the Nazis conducted a massive intelligence operation known as Operation Tannenberg to capture Allied military leaders.

  • Operation Tannenberg was code-named "Operation Fortitude"
  • The Allies were deceived into believing that Soviet forces would be advancing on their right flank
  • This deception allowed German forces to launch surprise attacks

Historical Context (continued)

Spy Thriller Elements

Interwar Period and Cold War Politics

The novel explores the cat-and-mouse game between spies, governments, and

Metadata:

  • Model: llama-3.2-1b-instruct
  • Generation time: 2024-11-02 18:30:55
  • Keywords: An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris, wiki, history, attractions, facts
  • URL: https://worldbestplaces.com/places/an-officer-and-a-spy-by-robert-harris