The affair, as it is known in french, has come to symbolise modern injustice in the francophone world. French military convicts dreyfus, a jewish french military officer, of treason. A bibliographical overview of the dreyfus affair jstor. Ben barkow, director, wiener library, jewish chronicle. The dreyfus affair deeply divided france, not just over the fate of the man at its center but also over a range of issues, including politics, religion and national identity. With the facts of the case long settled, the archives thoroughly mined, and hundreds of books and articles published, it would seem unlikely that there is much left to be discovered or said.
Alfred dreyfus and the affair that divided france by ruth harris carmen callil finds that a rigorous investigation of the dreyfus affair repays attention. Host and executive producer jeff probst thinks this celebrity would make the perfect. And thats because ever since i found out via josh lambert that a new novel connected with this major episode in worldfrenchjewish history will be on shelves soon susan daitchs paper conspiracies ive been recalling. Leslie derfler, the foremost american authority on the dreyfus affair, puts the affair in historical and. An officer and a spy thus opens with what seems to be the end of the dreyfus affair, but it proves to be only the beginning of what harris, the bestselling british author of fatherland. In addition to an historical overview, other essays examine the french political context before dreyfus, the issue of antisemitism in the affair, the socialists position, and how historical perceptions of the dreyfus affair have shifted over the last hundred years. To read about the background to these events, see history of france. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of europe 18711914 and what it means. The dreyfus affair topics in chronicling america newspaper and current periodical reading room, library of congress.
Numerous books have been written about the affair in which french army officer alfred dreyfus was wrongfully accused of treason, and this volume by piers paul read, simply titled the dreyfus affair, is a solid recollection of the case that garnered worldwide attention in the 1890s. Major esterhazy, a french officer, offers to sell military secrets to the german military attache in paris. Dec, 2009 beyond being a clear introduction to the historical, legal, cultural and literary ramifications of the dreyfus affair, this book is a call to arms to contemporary creative writers to address the. Dreyfus affair definition, summary, history, significance. It includes events in the history of antisemitic thought, actions taken to combat or relieve the effects of antisemitism, and events that affected the prevalence of antisemitism in later years. View a printable version u penn libraries rare book and manuscript. Culture wars in the age of dreyfus by frederick brown, dr. The story of the most infamous miscarriage of justice in french history. Buy why the dreyfus affair matters why x matters s. Beyond being a clear introduction to the historical, legal, cultural and literary ramifications of the dreyfus affair, this book is a call to arms to contemporary creative writers to address the. Hubert henry, who had condemned dreyfus at the trial, forges documents in order to incriminate dreyfus and discredit picquart. The publication of this masterful book comes at a time of increased antisemitism in france in particular and elsewhere in europe. This timeline of antisemitism chronicles the facts of antisemitism, hostile actions or discrimination against jews as a religious or ethnic group.
A comprehensive painstaking and thorough documentation of the infamous dreyfus affair. A summary of the affairs of the french third republic 18711914 in s europe 18711914. Herzls brief and dramatic bid for international support from the major powers at the first zionist congress. But it was the boulanger affair and the dreyfus affair so commonly known that the latter simply became known as the affair that, for better or for worse, gave the french third republic before world war i its own historical identity. A unique archive relating to alfred dreyfus and the dreyfus affair, which took. Written and produced by lorraine beitler directed by jonathan gruber, black eye productions. An officer and a spy, a thrilling novelization of the. Let us begin with books about the dreyfus affair named for its illfated victim, captain alfred dreyfus. His book is a fluid, confident survey that clearly sketches the chronology, main. Host and executive producer jeff probst thinks this celebrity would make the perfect survivor contestant.
Apr 28, 2020 later, when the austrian journalist theodor herzl began advocating a jewish state as the political solution for both antisemitism he had covered the sensational dreyfus affair in france and a jewish secular identity. He was convicted of treason by military courtmartial and sentenced to life imprisonment on devils island, but over the next 12 years a small group of human rights supporters was able to clear. George r whyte this account of the dreyfus affair, chronicles for the first time in english and day by day, the drama that destabilized french society 18941906 and reverberated across the world. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The dreyfus affair, as it has come to be known, was the most famous court case of the belle epoque. It represents, in its polemical entirety, a classic defense of human rights and a searing denunciation of fanaticism and prejudice. In his new book, piers paul read admirably demonstrates why we still find the subject fascinating more than a century after it was resolved. List of books and articles about alfred dreyfus online. Dreyfus affair, political crisis, beginning in 1894 and continuing through 1906, in france during the third republic. In this company, piers paul reads the dreyfus affair feels somewhat poorly timed and redundant, and all the more so since it is based on a very thin job of research. Oct 11, 1991 dreyfus a family affair, 17891945 by michael burns 576 pages. For the film series, see the dreyfus affair film series. Chambers and in journey to the centre of the earth 1992, around the world in eighty days 1995, twenty thousand.
An officer and a spy by robert harris, for the soul of france. Due to the fight between the dreyfusards and the antidreyfusards, and the miscarriage of justice, parts of society began to change. A deliberate miscarriage of justice, the public degradation of an innocent. He was a major figure in the political liberalization of france and in the. The story of the most infamous miscarriage of justice in french history first edition by read, piers paul isbn. This accessible volume contains a wealth of material on the dreyfus affair, with discussion of its historiography, the history of anti semitism in france, a collection of primary documents, and a glossary of terms. A bordereau an unsigned letter offering secret military data is found by french intelligence in the wastebasket of the german military attache. She is also the editor and publisher of the practicing writer, a free and popular enewsletter that features opportunities and resources for fictionists, poets, and writers of creative nonfiction. Feb 16, 2012 in this company, piers paul reads the dreyfus affair feels somewhat poorly timed and redundant, and all the more so since it is based on a very thin job of research.
Sparknotes is here for you weve got everything you need to ace or teach. This book is the first to provide, in english translation, the full extent of zolas writings on the dreyfus affair. Volume one of a comprehensive series on the dreyfus affair, this account. The dreyfus affair was a political scandal that divided france from 18941906. Feb 01, 2012 the dreyfus affair pops up time and again when reading french books from the end of the nineteenth century. More than 115 years have passed since dreyfus was convicted of treason, and it has been more than a century since he was exonerated. As the appearance of three new books within a year indicates, however, scholars still can find new ways to. It is often seen as a modern and universal symbol of injustice. This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and. The dreyfus affair brought to light the ageold evils of antisemitism, abuse of the innocent, and the struggle for power. Leslie derfler on october 15, 1894, alfred dreyfus, a jewish artillery captain attached to the french general staff, was arrested on charges of having betrayed his country by selling military secrets to the.
Alfred dreyfus 18591935, a french artillery officer and graduate of the french military academy. The controversy centered on the question of the guilt or innocence of army captain alfred dreyfus, who had been convicted of treason for allegedly selling military secrets to the germans in 1894. Map of france showing locations mentioned in the chronology xxxiv. Feb 18, 2015 written and produced by lorraine beitler directed by jonathan gruber, black eye productions. The affair, as it is known in french, has come to symbolise modern injustice in the francophone world, and it remains one of the most notable examples of a complex miscarriage of justice and antisemitism. General georges boulanger was a popular figure who captured the imagination of the french press. France is still fractured by the dreyfus affair nationalists were fixated on the idea that there was a conspiracy against catholicism and the most obvious culprits were the jews. The dreyfus affair greenwood guides to historic events, 1500. The unending parade of books and papers and movies and miniseries and madefortvspecials and documentaries and websites all devoted to retelling and consecrating the dreyfus affair have, over the years, covered over the events with an intricate and multilayered tapestry. Volume one of a comprehensive series on the dreyfus affair, this account chronicles for the first time in english and day by day, the drama that destabilized french society 18941906 and reverberated across the world. Esterhazy, maurice weil, and henry at the intelligence office. The dreyfus affair, reenacted in a suspenseful spy novel.
A commemorative plaque honoring dreyfus and zola is unveiled at the ecole militaire. Ive recently been reading prousts in search of lost time in which the characters keep discussing the affair and anyone who has read anything about zola will realise that zola played a significant part in the affair. Dreyfus a family affair, 17891945 by michael burns 576 pages. In 1894, french captain alfred dreyfus is wrongfully convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment at devils island. The history of antisemitism can be traced from ancient. This volume lives and breathes in its footnotes and appendices. A timeline listing the important events during europe 18711914. Dreyfus at the general staff esterhazy a major in rouen june 23. Publication in le matin of a facsimile of the bordereau. On october 15, 1894, alfred dreyfus, a jewish artillery captain attached to the french general staff, was arrested on charges of having betrayed his country by selling military secrets to the germans. Most famous among the participants was frances greatest living novelist, emile zola. Jun 26, 2011 erika dreifus is a reader, writer, and literary advocate whose latest book, birthright. The dreyfus affair greenwood guides to historic events.
Publication of bernard lazares une erreur judiciare. A much needed reminder of the malaise that almost destroyed dreyfus and that threatens once again to blight our world. France is still fractured by the dreyfus affair telegraph. The dreyfus affair was a political scandal that divided the third french republic from 1894. This is a timeline of french history, comprising important legal changes and political events in france and its predecessor states. In the closing years of the nineteenth century and for decades thereafter, that notorious case was seen as indelible a stain on the veneer of european civilization as the holocaust came to represent a halfcentury later. The dreyfus affair was the first indication that a new epoch of progress and cosmopolitan optimism would be met by a countervailing wave of hatred that deformed the next. The dreyfus affair pops up time and again when reading french books from the end of the nineteenth century. Returns to oakland determined to finish high school and go to university. It represents, in its polemical entirety, a classic defense of human rights and a. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Genesis of the affair discovery of the bordereau arrest of dreyfus. It is still one of the most striking examples of a miscarriage of justice where a major role was played by the press and public opinion.