I read this book as fast as I could. The author found just the right mix of French "Resistance" and a laid back life in the Middle East to have everything one needs for a perfect novel: action, love, deep meaning of life, and intrigue.

The book starts in first person narrated by a man who recognizes a WW II hero on the street and ends up following him and gets into a conversation with him.

This war 'hero' ends up telling him the story of his life in three days while waiting for a meeting in Paris.

Throughout his story the reader is taken from WW II France to post war Middle East, back to France and even back in time several centuries as the real main character, the war hero, shares his familiy history with his new friend.

An excellent read.