Dazzling romance, political intrigue, military conflict—this kind of top-rate historical fiction is a heady brew that French writer Emile Zola serves up better than anyone before or since. One of the novels in the author's celebrated Les Rougon-Macquart series, The Downfall follows the travails and triumphs of farmer and soldier Jean Macquart, who rises above adversity in a time of terrible discord to find a semblance of peace and happiness.