The biographical novel about Josef Hasil, an elusive smuggler, which the StB itself referred to as the King of Šumava, is based on his own memories, witnesses of witnesses and archival documents. It is the most extensive literary reconstruction of the almost incredible story of a man who first helped to guard the border in the police uniform of the then National Security Corps, but after February 1948 became his most feared rival. In addition to the spy-political background, the novel also brings the stories of Hasil's large family and his fateful women. The book thus captures not only the exceptional human destiny, but also the dramatic events associated with the emergence of the infamous Iron Curtain and is a tribute to all men and women who bravely opposed political will and tyranny. A comic trilogy of the same name was created based on the novel.

“The best pupil's novel so far honestly shows a great story in which a documentary with fiction intertwines. Readable, strong, authentic work. ”(Lidové noviny)


Josef Hasil (1924–2019)
In October 1948 he was arrested and later convicted of illegal transfer to the West. After escaping from the labor camp in Bavaria he began working for US intelligence as an agent-walkway. In the Bohemian Forest, so to speak in front of the eyes of the border guards and the StB, he managed to create a dense network of collaborators and informants. After building the Iron Curtain, he went to the United States in 1954, where he spent the rest of his life. In 2001 he was awarded a medal for heroism by President Václav Havel.

David Jan Žák (1971 in Prachatice)
Provena and poet, original profession journalist. The Labyrinth publishing house published the amendment to Ax Africa (2006), Krimi Thriller of Šumava Silence (2009) and an extensive literary report on the new edition of the novel King Šumava (2013) by Rudolf Kalčík. He is currently teaching an art field at the Primary Art School in Prachatice. He lives with his family in the Bohemian Forest.