It is 1792. The Reign of Terror grips Paris, France, and hundreds of aristocrats are being sent to their deaths at the guillotine. Only one mysterious person dares to stand up to this bloodshed: the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel. Though no one knows who he is, the Scarlet Pimpernel saves the innocent from death, employing incredible disguises to escape the French revolutionary government and bring his charges safely to England. Naturally, the French government doesn't like this much, and sends its best agent to track the Pimpernel down.
Written in 1905, this tale of espionage and secret identities has been credited as the grandmother of James Bond and other super-spies. The book's only negative aspect is that the good Baroness Orczy occasionally falls prey to the snobbery of her aristocratic rank and the prejudices of her time. However, in spite of these lapses, the story is filled with wit, swashbuckling, and a good dose of romance. This novel remains a classic for a reason.
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