J'accuse (French Edition) Paperback – Large Print, May 18, 2016

…spanned more than a decade of “La Belle Epoque.” In brief, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish artillery officer was accused of spying for Germany in 1894. He was tried before a secret military tribunal, convicted, stripped of his rank, and sent to the penal colony, aptly named, “Devil’s Island,” off the coast of South America. He was wrongly convicted. The real spy was Major Esterhazy. Dreyfus was brought for retrial in 1899, again convicted (!), but pardoned. It would only be in 1906 when he was fully exonerated.The “affair” demonstrated a strong strain of anti-Semitism in French society, particular in regards to the conservative Catholic hierarchy. It was also about refusing to admit wrong, for the sake of “the honor of the Army.” Yet time, and time again, it seems that those who engage in a cover-up only exacerbate, and further disgrace the institution or individual they are attempting to defend. For an American of a certain age, the Dreyfus Affair resonates with the events under the rubric “Watergate,” as well as My Lai.Very few of the French leadership would speak out in defense of Dreyfus. Enter Emile Zola, a famous French writer, who had written many novels, in the vein of Balzac, on the “Human Comedy.” The majority of Zola’s novels were set during the period of the Second Empire. He decided not to rest on his laurels, and in 1898 published a scathing accusation, aptly entitled “J’accuse” (I accuse) on the front page of the newspaper L’Aurore. It was addressed to the President of France, Felix Faure. For his efforts, Zola would be prosecuted for libel, found guilty, and he fled to England to avoid prison.“J’accuse” is a classic work of political activism… of the “one person can make a difference” variety, and a classic title. Many subsequently have used the title, and I can recall a piece, with the same title, for historical resonance, written by Graham Greene, when he accused the Mayor of Nice of corruption. I had never read Zola’s original, and once I decided to, with a few key strokes, it was on my Kindle, at a very reasonable price: free!Zola provided a rather lawyerly (in the good sense!) exposition of the facts of the case, along with some rhetorical flair. He notes that after the commandant of Paty de Clam arrested Zola, he went on to terrorize Zola’s wife. Zola states that General Gonse was convinced that the real culprit was Esterhazy, but it took only “a minute of combat” between his conscience and what he believed was the interest of the military, for him to decide to engage in the cover-up. Zola also accuses General Billot and Boisdeffre of knowing that Dreyfus was innocent, and would also refuse to correct this injustice. “And these people sleep, and they have wives and children that they love.”Zola correctly identifies the problems for the nation by saying: “that the people that I know, before a possible war, tremble with anxiety, by knowing in what hands is the national defense! And what a nest of low intrigues…” And words for today, or any time: “It is a crime to exploit patriotism for the works of hate.” Zola finishes with his “so go ahead and sue me” gambit: “I do not ignore that I put myself under articles 30 and 31 of the law on the press passed on 29 July 1881, which punishes the offense of defamation. And I voluntarily expose myself to it.” And so the government did. Zola, as noted above, got to see England for a year, returning only after the government fell. An important historical work that should be read, for then, and definitely now. 5-stars.

I don't speak, or read, French, so I don't get everything in this book. HOWEVER! There is enough blinding invective against the authorities as well as words that match English (names & titles) that the meaning burns through! (My Grade School French helped a bit.)That said, if you read French, definitely get this "free" copy. If not, you can always try it & delete it if it doesn't work for you. It is an astonishing indictment of the anti-Semitic bias in the French Army (and society) during the Belle Époque in France. Note that because of this book, Capt. Dreyfus was rehabilitated and reappointed to his commission in the French Army. He fought for France with distinction years later in World War 1.

A classic

This is one of the most famous letters written to protest a wrong doing in history. Zola was also a great influence on many following writers and this letter wasn't the only reason. His stories are also a real treat.I bought this book, so I could improve my French, and it was quite a challenge but enjoyed it more than I thought I would. .The price is right, so if you don't like it, you may always delete it.

Just one side-albeit by one of the most important ones about the Dreyfus Affaire - it would be better paired with some of the other accounts of the time

As a Zola fan, I ordered the book to get an idea of his approach of the subject.I wasn't disappointed by his usual classical tone.Different to his famous novels, but short enough to enjoy.

Valid for its epoch, 150 years ago, but a classic example of poluitical journalism.

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