Early in his career Vergès made a name for himself at the time of the Algerian war by fighting against colonialism. His big case was defending rebel Djamile Bouhired, who was sentenced to death as a bomber. Not only was he able to free her, but they fell in love, were married and became the parents of two children.

Vergès became somewhat of a mystery man. He disappeared for about eight years—what he was up to during the time is a matter of conjecture. After turning up again, he started defending renowned terrorists, including Carlos the Jackal But his most famous defense has been that of Klaus Barbie, tried as a Nazi war criminal.

What sort of a man is Vergès? Schroeder explores him with direct interviews in which he expresses his attitudes and opinions, and by interviewing others who have played a role in the lawyer’s life, and he in theirs.

From this writer’s standpoint, he comes cross as a clever blowhard, a supreme egoist who gets a kick out of stirring controversy. There is also the question of whether he has crossed the line from advocate who has every right to defend even the most dastardly, who have a right to be defended, to taking part in their causes.