First published 1995
Alfred Dreyfus, a promising Jewish officer in the French Army, finds himself accused of selling military secrets to Germany. The charges are fabricated, but the military court believes them. Dreyfus maintains his innocence as the case transforms from a simple court martial into something far larger. The scandal draws in major figures across Europe and America. Emile Zola writes his famous letter J'Accuse in Dreyfus's defense. Mark Twain, William James, and Queen Victoria all take notice of the unfolding drama. Mass protests erupt in multiple countries as people choose sides. What began as one man's fight to clear his name becomes the most famous legal battle of the 19th century. Dreyfus must navigate a system determined to destroy him while the world watches his struggle for justice.
Genres: historical, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 19th-century, political-thriller, legal-thriller
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, underdog
Setting: Europe, America, France, Germany
Period: 19th-Century
346 pages · Paperback · Henry Holt