Paris After the Liberation 1944 - 1949
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Author Description
A remarkable historical account of the chaos and uncertainty that followed the liberation of Paris in August, 1944 'A beautifully written book about a vast tapestry of military, political and social upheaval. Remarkably well-researched, wise, balanced, very funny at times' Dirk Bogarde ______________ Post-liberation Paris: an epoch charged with political and conflicting emotions. Liberation was greeted with joy but marked by recriminations and the trauma of purges. The feverish intellectual arguments of the young took place amidst the mundane reality of hunger and fuel shortages. This is a thrilling, unsurpassed account of the drama and upheaval of one of history's most fascinating eras. ______________ 'A dashing, multi-dimensional story. This book covers all aspects of life - diplomacy, strategy, rationing, politics and politicking (from Churchill, Pétain's and de Gaulle's point of view), the international theatricals and the tourist invasion, blitzkrieg and Ritzkrieg' Olivier Todd, Sunday Times 'Absorbing... a rich, many-layered account, selecting from official documents, private archives, memoirs and histories with a wonderful lightness of touch, so that the most complex events become clear' Jenny Uglow, Independent on Sunday
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
The end of World War II plunged Paris into a complex period of reconstruction, reckoning, and cultural resurgence. Following the jubilant liberation in August 1944, the city grappled with the immediate aftermath of occupation, including purges of collaborators and the persistent challenges of hunger and fuel shortages. This book chronicles the feverish intellectual debates, the shifting political landscape involving figures like Churchill, Pétain, and de Gaulle, and the gradual return of normalcy amidst international diplomacy and the burgeoning tourist influx.
THE SCOPE MAP
- The immediate post-liberation chaos and uncertainty in Paris, August 1944 onwards.
- The political and social upheaval, including recriminations and purges.
- The intellectual ferment and artistic movements of the era.
- The mundane realities of daily life: hunger, fuel shortages, and reconstruction efforts.
- The perspectives of key political figures such as Churchill, Pétain, and de Gaulle.
- The international dimension, including diplomacy and the return of tourism.
- A rich account drawing from official documents, private archives, memoirs, and histories.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This historical account is lauded for its comprehensive and balanced portrayal of Paris in the tumultuous years following its liberation. Reviewers highlight its meticulous research, weaving together military, political, and social threads with a remarkable lightness of touch that clarifies complex events. The book is noted for capturing both the grand sweep of historical upheaval and the intimate details of daily life, including moments of humor amidst the profound challenges faced by the city and its inhabitants.
Page Count:
435
Publication Date:
2007-10-04
Publisher:
Penguin Adult
ISBN-10:
0141032413
ISBN-13:
9780141032412
History
Non-Fiction
Political History
Social History
Paris
