How did Pierre Fatou and Gaston Julia create what we now call Complex Dynamics, in the context of the early twentieth century and especially of the First World War? The book is based partly on new, unpublished sources. Who were Pierre Fatou, Gaston Julia, Paul Montel? New biographical information is given on the little known mathematician that was Pierre Fatou. How did the WW1 injury of Julia  influence mathematical life in France? From the reviews of the French version: "Audin’s book is … filled with marvelous biographical information and analysis, dealing not just with the men mentioned in the book’s title but a large number of other players, too … [It] addresses itself to scholars for whom the history of mathematics has a particular resonance and especially to mathematicians active, or even with merely an interest, in complex dynamics. … presents it all to the reader in a very appealing form." (Michael Berg, The Mathematical Association of America, October 2009)

From the book reviews:

“Book is a most welcome addition to the conversation involving complex dynamics and its history. It is also a valuable and human account of the Parisian mathematical community in the early-to-middle 20th Century … . It is amply illustrated with drawings from many of the works cited and photographs of most of the mathematicians mentioned. … The prose is lively, and the book is very readable.” (Daniel S. Alexander, Historia Mathematica, Vol. 41, 2014)

“This is a systematically researched and presented piece of work, with meticulous references. The exposition of the mathematics is particularly clear. … Audin is aiming this book first and foremost at mathematicians, specifically those mathematicians who are interested in the broad area of mathematics covered in the book, namely complex dynamics. … Audin’s book is not only an interesting read but also an important piece of scholarship.” (Christopher Hollings, BSHM Bulletin, Vol. 27 (1), 2012)

“Audin draws the portraits, the environment … and does it with her own views, her feelings, and her passion for mathematics and for the truth. … Even specialists in the field will find something new in the book, and nonspecialists will have an excellent introduction to modern complex dynamics. … For many readers, as for myself, the fact that the author is present on every page with a remark, a comment, and sometimes a mockery, will make it more pleasant and easy to read.” (Jean-Pierre Kahane, The Mathematical Intelligencer, Vol. 33 (3), September, 2011)