As a tale of espionage, passion, corruption, bravery, high politics and low intrigue set against a momentous background of revolutionary turmoil, Danton rivals the best historical novels for pace and excitement. Danton, the most charismatic of the French Revolution leaders was thirty in 1789 and had only five more years to live. In 1792 he was unquestionably the hero of France following his successful leadership of the French Army against Prussian invasion. He was irresistibly drawn into intrigue and was paid by Royalists as a double agent. In 1795 he was guillotined following a machiavellian plot against him.