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Occupation: The Ordeal of France 1940-1944

Occupation: The Ordeal of France 1940-1944

by IanOusby (Author)

  • Used

    Paperback 1999

    $3.25
Synopsis

The real story of the Occupation uncovers a reality more complex, more human and ultimately more moving than the myths which have grown after the event. Defeat in 1940 left the French so demoralized that they readily supported the Vichy regime, committed not just to pragmatic collaborations but to finding scapegoats for the nations disgrace. Jews and Communitsts because the chief victims of a witch-hunt which left plenty of scope for private grudges as well. Resistance came late: the Occupation was fourteen months old before the first German solider was killed. The public mood changed only as the Reich's original correctness gave way to brutality, and as events outside France prefigured possible German defeat. But even as Liberation approached, resistance was far from being the mass army of later myth. Different visions of who should inherit France complicated the pursuit of collaborators and foreshadowed the chaos of post-war politics. During the Occupation selfishness, bigotry and cowardice played parts as great as courage and idealism. They left a 'poisoned memory' which persists even today. But others should not feel superior. In such an ordeal, who can claim they would have done better?

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 384
 Edition: First Paperback Edition
 Publisher: Pimlico
Published: 04 Feb 1999
ISBN 10: 0712665137
ISBN 13: 9780712665131
Book Overview: 'Long-overdue, informed, sensitive, balanced and insightful...We who were not there should be grateful.' Sunday Times

Media Reviews
The real story of the Occupation uncovers a reality more complex, more human and ultimately more moving than the myths which have grown after the event. Defeat in 1940 left the French so demoralized that they readily supported the Vichy regime, committed not just to pragmatic collaborations but to finding scapegoats for the nations disgrace. Jews and Communitsts because the chief victims of a witch-hunt which left plenty of scope for private grudges as well. Resistance came late: the Occupation was fourteen months old before the first German solider was killed. The public mood changed only as the Reich's original correctness gave way to brutality, and as events outside France prefigured possible German defeat. But even as Liberation approached, resistance was far from being the mass army of later myth. Different visions of who should inherit France complicated the pursuit of collaborators and foreshadowed the chaos of post-war politics. During the Occupation selfishness, bigotry and cowardice played parts as great as courage and idealism. They left a 'poisoned memory' which persists even today. But others should not feel superior. In such an ordeal, who can claim they would have done better?
Author Bio
Ian Ousby wrote widely on subjects both English and French. His recent books include The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English and Occupation: The Ordeal of France 1940-1944, which won the 1997 Edith McLeod Literary Prize, given annually to the British book which 'has contributed most to Franco-British understanding', and the 1997 Stern Silver PEN Award for Non-fiction. He died in August 2001.