André Zirnheld, the Song of a Partisan

"I want insecurity and worry. I want turmoil and struggle." Only two men, Joseph Kessel and André Zirnheld, bequeathed to us a universal hymn to the Resistance. But while everyone knows "Le Chant des Partisans" (The Song of the Partisans), who, outside of military circles, has ever read the sublime "Prière du compagnon de la Libération" (Prayer of the Companion of the Liberation) by Zirnheld, the first Free French Forces paratrooper officer killed in action in the Desert War at the age of 29? His poem, which became known as the "Parachutist's Prayer," was nevertheless sung on all fronts of the Liberation. This masterful biography for the first time recounts the extraordinary destiny of this anti-fascist intellectual, from Bohemian Paris and the "Esprit" group to the Free French shock troops.

"He was of the stature of Saint-Exupéry," said General Bergé of this philosopher who fell in the uniform of the legendary SAS Rogue Heroes, a fabulous phantom unit of desert pirates. At a time when war is making a strong comeback in Europe, this fascinating investigation, based on unpublished archives, a coming-of-age novel, an adventure story, an epic, and an initiatory quest, proves to be incredibly relevant. It is about how to stand tall in rough weather. The intimate odyssey of a hero to discover, ponder, and absolutely pass on. Foreword by General Olivier Tramond