The novel about the World War II French Resistance that spawned the classic film.

Gerbier, the leader of a resistance group, is sent to a French concentration camp. He stays a few months there before escaping with the help of Legrain, a young Communist. Thus begins the story of his commitment to the Resistance, but also the story of thousands of French people–peasants, students, civil servants, chatelaines–involved in the same fight for freedom. They are all part of the army of the shadows.