Baineann an sceal seo le Contae Mhaigh Eo sa bhliain 1798, 'bliain na bhFrancach', nuair a thainig arm Francach faoin Ghinearal Humbert i dtir i gCill Ala. Bhuaigh an leabhar seo na priomhduaiseanna liteartha, ina measc Bonn an Chraoibhin. L'Attaque recounts the part played by a small group of United Irishmen from County Leitrim in the military revolt which was sparked by the landing of French General Humbert in Killala, County Mayo, in 1798. Through the character of Mairtin, O Tuairisc's novel brilliantly charts the effect of revolutionary fighting on peasant life, the conflicting ideals of the comrades-at-arms and the disorganisation that afflicts their army.