Even as millions risked their lives on the battlefields of World War II, other individuals secretly set up escape lines to help those on the run. Bringing to light some of these brave operations, the author of The Vatican Pimpernel profiles the priests, diplomats, and civilians throughout Europe who risked their lives to save Jews, dissidents, and downed airmen. Ranging from Spain to Marseilles to Assisi, Brian Fleming offers a picture of how these routes operated, and considers the character of the people involved, whose courage held out against all kinds of adversity.