Recounts the liberation of Paris in August 1944.
Examines both heroism and moral compromise during the occupation.
Focuses on civilians, resistance fighters, and collaborators alike.
Challenges the myth of a universally resistant France.
Explores political tensions between Gaullists and Allies.
Details street fighting and civilian uprisings.
Highlights the chaos following German retreat.
Addresses revenge killings and public humiliations.
Uses vivid eyewitness accounts and archival research.
Presents liberation as complex, messy, and morally ambiguous.
- Publication Date: 2024
- Pages: 400
- Cost: £7.58
- Gerne: Historical
Our review in brief:
| 1. Rating: 8.5 out of 10 |
| 2. Recommended: Everyone said they would recommend the book to people that had an interest in modern history. |
| 3. Audience: The book would appeal to readers of all ages and suit both men and women, who enjoyed examining history from a different perspective. It would also suit people who liked historical fiction, as it read like an epic thriller. |
| 4. Strengths: The writing style and inclusion of famous people, along side everyday folk made it utterly absorbing and far from a dry text. |
| 5. Weaknesses: In places there was too much emphasis on people like Hemmingway, which may have been a result of trying to make the book accessible to people who do not normally read non-fiction. The vast array of names, made it hard to follow in a few places. It would have been good to learn more about the life of the average man and women under occupation and not just those involved in collaboration or resistance. |
| 6. Other observations: It would be an eye opener for a younger generation. |