ePub When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under German Occupation; 1940-1944 by Ronald C. Rosbottom in History

Review

86 of 87 people found the following review helpful. Excellent history of Paris in World War IIBy Kenneth B. StrumpfThis was an excellent and very comprehensive telling of the story of Paris under German occupation. By and large the book takes a chronological look at the event. It begins with a brief discussion of the early part of World War II followed by the German attack and the stunning collapse of French resistance. The French decision to not defend Paris was not a foregone conclusion; they could have fought; but in fact not a single shot was fired in anger at the Germans as they took the city. This decision would haunt the psyche of Parisians perhaps to the present day; as the author makes clear. The bulk of the book is taken up with a narrative of how both the occupied and occupiers dealt with first the German victory and later the looming German defeat. The chapter on how Germans dealt with being occupiers was very interesting; it's a topic not usually covered in books about the war. The chapter on the roundup of French Jews in 1942 was heart-breaking. The author repeatedly emphasized that this was almost entirely a French effort; with little German involvement. The grinding length of the occupation is a theme frequently brought up. It ground down both occupied and occupiers. The various resistance movements as well as the pathetic Vichy government are covered in detail. Finally; the book ends with a discussion on how France processed; and continues to process; both the fact of defeat and the later liberation. The various attempts to rewrite history to serve the political agendas of the many French political factions was fascinating.One particularly interesting theme of the book is the whole concept of what was meant by "collaboration" and "resistance". These terms turn out to be far more ambiguous than they appear at first glance. Was a waiter who served tea to a German officer at a cafe a collaborator or merely someone trying to get by? What about a French prostitute who sold her services to German soldiers? Or a Vichy minister motivated by patriotic impulses to serve in the Petain government; like future President Francois Mitterrand? Resistance turns out to be equally difficult to define. It's one thing to describe someone who shot a German soldier on a Parisian street as a resister; but what about a man who refused to speak to the German officer billeted in his home? As the book makes clear this is a question that troubles France to this day.I really can't recommend this book highly enough. The writing is fluid and highly readable. The author makes use of a variety of sources and uses many anecdotes to humanize the topic. Even the footnotes are interesting. I learned a lot that I didn't previously know despite having read quite a bit about France during the war. For instance; the Parisians didn't really seem to mind the occupation very much during the first year or so; although they wished for a swift British capitulation in the hopes that this would persuade the Germans to leave. Also; Paris had a mini-civil war in the months just following the liberation; with many dying in the process. I never knew this. It's hard to believe that at this late date there is still more to learn about World War II but this book proves it for me.17 of 17 people found the following review helpful. ... of Paris from 1940 to 1944 gave me an excellent sense of what it must have been like living ...By JohnRonald Rosbottom's story of the Nazi occupation of Paris from 1940 to 1944 gave me an excellent sense of what it must have been like living in almost Orwellian existence because of the total control the Third Reich had over its citizens by creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion in the city. It's astounding that Paris was taken by the German forces with no resistance. Hitler is photographed with the Eiffel Tower in the background; and other photos show a city with empty and eerie-looking street scenes; conveying the scene of a ghost town.Der Fuhrer's respect and admiration for Paris before and during the occupation is well covered. However; as the Nazis begin their retreat from the allied forces in 1944; he demands from his generals that Paris be burned to the ground; a command that; fortunately; was not carried out. There is much detail about the French collaboration with Germans in sending the Jews to the concentration camps and the fraternization of French women with the Germans.This book brings to the surface the shame and embarrassment the French people must feel regarding this sad and humiliating period in their history. However; it's a story that is important to tell; and Ronald Rosbottom's has done an excellent job in doing that. This is a must read for those wanting to learn about this bleak and depressing time in the history of a revered capital city of a great nation.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. It is sad to learn the complicity of the French in the ...By Warren J. NelsonAn outstanding read. Very well written. Not many people know much about the 50 months that the Nazi's occupied Paris. It is sad to learn the complicity of the French in the rounding up of the Jews during this period. Bizarre how Paris of all places avoided much damage due to the occupation. Strange how things worked out. In that sense the occupation was a blessing. Also some senior Nazi's displayed considerable courage in ignoring Hitler's orders in 1944 to level Paris. Also inspiring to read about the amazing courage of some young Parisian's in their resistance efforts many of whom paid the ultimate price for their efforts. This book helps insure that their names will not be forgotten.