Robert Harris is a reliable and witty writer. His first book Selling Hitler had me transfixed, and often aching with laughter. I provided him with access to all my diaries and telephone logs, which provided the backbone of his story. It was a very accurate depiction of the Hitler Diaries comedy, and later became a highly successful six-part TV series in which, to my surprise, I was cast in a favourable light. I had first met Harris in 1977 when he was a young Cambridge student, chairman of the Fabian Society. He invited me to address his society, and one thousand students turned out to hear me. I have been impressed by his integrity ever since.