Taking Paris

The Epic Battle for the City of Lights

By: Martin Dugard

Narrated by: Samuel Roukin

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

National Bestseller • From Martin Dugard, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Killing series with Bill O’Reilly, comes the spellbinding story of the Allied liberation of Paris from the grip of the Nazis during World War II

“Taking Paris does for Paris during World War II what The Splendid and the Vile did for London.” (James Patterson) • “Heroes and villains abound. You’ll enjoy this fast-paced book immensely.” (Bill O’Reilly) • “Succeeds triumphantly.” (The Washington Post)

May 1940: The world is stunned as Hitler's forces invade France with a devastating blitzkrieg aimed at Paris. Within weeks, the French government has collapsed, and the City of Lights, revered for its carefree lifestyle, intellectual freedom, and love of liberty, has fallen under Nazi control - perhaps forever.

As the Germans ruthlessly crush all opposition, a patriotic band of Parisians known as the Resistance secretly rise up to fight back. But these young men and women cannot do it alone. Over 120,000 Parisians die under German occupation. Countless more are tortured in the city's Gestapo prisons and sent to death camps. The longer the Nazis hold the city, the greater the danger its citizens face. As the armies of America and Great Britain prepare to launch the greatest invasion in history, the spies of the Resistance risk all to ensure the Germans are defeated and Paris is once again free.

The players holding the fate of Paris in their hands are some of the biggest historical figures of the era: Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, General George S. Patton, and the exiled French general Charles de Gaulle, headquartered in London's Connaught Hotel. From the fall of Paris in 1940 to the race for Paris in 1944, this riveting, pause-resisting drama unfolds through their decisions - for better and worse. Taking Paris is history told at a breathtaking pace, a sprawling yet intimate saga of heroism, desire, and personal sacrifice for all that is right.

©2021 Martin Dugard (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[Dugard’s] ambition is to tell a gripping story. In this he succeeds triumphantly. One reads his narrative, mostly in the present tense, as if watching a film…. Dugard has real narrative gifts.” - The Washington Post

“Better than the Killing books.” - The Valdosta Daily Times

“Taking Paris reads like a film script; such is the immediacy of the writing and use of the present tense that you feel yourself in the action, striding up the Champs-Élysées liberating the French capital from the Nazis.” - Andrew Roberts, New York Times bestselling author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny

Foreign names and expressions badly pronounced

I really enjoyed the English language performance of the story. Authorative and serious. But the pronunciation of French names is terrible. At least mr. Roukin could have listened to Google translate on how to pronounce French names. Marshal Foch name is not pronounced as the American foul word Fu** OMG I'm so embarrassed for the Marshal's family. Even "Vive la France" he managed to totally destroy. Roukin's German is unfortunately no better. How he could be selected to read this book is a mystery to me.

Tremendously insightful History

Tremendously insightful history into the personalities of some of the most important players that wrote the History of WWII ... and of course that key city, Paris.

Outstanding production

Could hardly put it down, exceptionally interesting and factually outstanding. Great historical event and well presented

Fascinating read

Fact based historical account of the capture and retaking of Paris during Ww2. Very interesting!

Martin Dugard’s research and writing is exceptional

I have read every one of Martin Dugard’s books plus all the books that he co-authored with Bill O’Reilly. All of the books show excellent research and writing. I look forward to Killing the Killers and his next solo book. Thank you very much for your creativity and hard work.
Bob Winter

Great History quick moving

Fast moving details that gives some detail but not too much. Does not bog down.

What you need to know

This is a true history lesson about WW2. Absolutely worth your time. The narration is excellent.

Very well done.

Excellent perspective on all sides. Well and dramatically written and read. One feels like an observer of events unfolding on several different stages at the same time, giving the reader the advantage of learning the significance of each person, battle, and/or event in the contemporaneous context of all the others.

Outstanding History Lesson .

One of the Best and Well Written story’s I have ever read about the fighting taking place in Paris and in France during World War Two. So very clear and precise and detailed.

Taking Paris

We learned a lot. Took several different topics and wove them all together following a time line. The French accents was horrible he sounded German. The German accident was the same not very good. I would recommend this book to my friends always keep our interest.