A political novel against the setting of modern Europe. The central character is a French officer, and the story begins at the time of the German occupation -- starting with Mainz and going on to the Ruhr section. And the story ends with the triumph of the madman Hitler, and the glorified madness which he expresses through the anti-Semitic atrocities. And between, the Frenchman is mentally crucified because of his ability to see the tragedy of the other side.