Émile Zola: A Biography
The man who exposed a nation. The writer who changed the world.
NEW REVISED PRINT EDITION PUBLISHING SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
Released on the anniversary of Émile Zola’s death
Émile Zola: A Biography follows the extraordinary life of the novelist who transformed modern literature—and risked his career to defend justice. Alan Strauss-Schom traces Zola’s journey from poverty and obscurity to literary renown, illuminating the creation of Thérèse Raquin, Nana, and Germinal, as well as the moral conviction behind his explosive intervention in the Dreyfus Affair: “J’Accuse…!”
Inside the Book
- Reveals the man behind “J’Accuse…!”, tracing Zola’s transformation from celebrated novelist to one of France’s most consequential public voices.
- Explores how Zola’s Naturalism brought poverty, class conflict, corruption, sexuality, and working-class life into the modern novel.
- Illuminates the courage, controversy, ambition, and personal drama of a writer who risked his career and freedom to confront injustice during the Dreyfus Affair.
About the Author
Alan Strauss-Schom is an American historian and biographer renowned for his meticulously researched studies of major European figures. His acclaimed works include biographies of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor Frederick the Great, and Émile Zola, as well as histories of nineteenth-century Europe. Combining rigorous scholarship with an engaging narrative style, Strauss-Schom brings historical personalities vividly to life, illuminating both their achievements and the worlds they shaped. His biographies are widely respected for their depth, clarity, and compelling storytelling.
Publisher Casa Carlini
Imprint Vita
Author Alan Strauss-Schom
Publication Date Sept 29, 2026
Paperback $24.99
ISBN 978-1-943657-45-2
Hardback $35.99
ISBN 978-1-943657-73-5
Charles Carlini, Publisher
info@casacarlini.com
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