Customer Reviews

The Dreyfus Affair: "J`Accuse" and Other Writings

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Emile Zola is today the most well known "fighter" in the war to clear Alfred Dreyfus' name in what became known as the Dreyfus Affair in 1890s France. This book compiles Zola's letters (public and not) during this period, with the most famous being J'Accuse, one that earned him a conviction along with stiff fines that eroded his fortune.

Zola is very passionate in Dreyfus' defense, though his passion never leaves behind a devastating logic that made it so difficult to ignore. This is an amazing defense of religious freedom and justice, against prejudice and hatred. Zola manages to weaken, in time, two of the most powerful institution in France at the time: the military and the church. Ten years later the military would no longer play as significant a role in French life, and by 1905 France would pass the law separating Church and State.

After reading the letters, one is filled with Zola's enthusiasm and idealism. Makes one want to go fight injustice and make this a better world. There are very few books about which this can be said.

This is an excellent presentation of historical events by a contemporary.