Baineann an scéal seo le Contae Mhaigh Eo sa bhliain 1798, 'bliain na bhFrancach', nuair a tháinig arm Francach faoin Ghinearál Humbert i dtír i gCill Ala. Bhuaigh an leabhar seo na príomhduaiseanna liteartha, ina measc Bonn an Chraoibhín. 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 Máirtín, Ó 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.