Paris '44

The Shame and the Glory

De: Patrick Bishop

Narrado por: Peter Noble

Named a Best Book of 2024 by Winnipeg Free Press

Celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the liberation of Paris, a heart-stopping countdown narrative recreating the liberation of Paris in 1944, one of the great hinge moments of WW2.

The fall of Paris to the Nazis in June 1940 seemed like the darkest day of the Second World War; and the liberation of the city in August 1944 felt like the brightest.

The liberation was a hinge moment of immense significance for the twentieth century, heralding the final victory of light over darkness and opening the door to a future free from fear. It was also the party of the century: champagne flowed freely, total strangers embraced - it was a celebration of life renewed against the backdrop of the world's favourite city, seen in by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Lee Miller, JD Salinger, Picasso, and Robert Capa.

This happy ending has come to feel as if it was pre-ordained. But there was nothing inevitable about it. Had things gone differently Paris might have gone down as a ghastly monument to Nazi nihilism, reduced to a rubble-strewn graveyard.

This book, timed for the eightieth anniversary of the liberation of Paris, tells the story of those iridescent days in a startling new way. In a countdown narrative, packed with drama, heroism, joy—and heart-thumping suspense—the City of Lights' fate hangs in the balance.

Reseñas de la Crítica

Named a Best Book of 2024 by Winnipeg Free Press

“An exhaustively researched, enthralling, cinematic account of the liberation of Paris, in time for its 80th anniversary.”
—Janet Somerville, Toronto Star

“[Bishop] takes a refreshingly novel approach. He focuses on a cross section of characters from across the political and social spectrum, creating a multi-faceted narrative with terrific colour and drama. . . . Patrick Bishop’s sombre, gruelling but hugely impressive book is a timely reminder of how the City of Light was freed from an even darker hour.”
—Andrew Lynch, Business Post

Fascinating account !

Splendid narration brings to life the conflicting narratives and history of the people of Paris during the height of WWII - a worthy read for all interested in this period of history, and those who should be!

Incredible, exciting history of WWIi in France and Paris- don’t miss this!!

A retelling in a new form of the history of the war in France- but told via the true stories of key individuals and with new insights. Not only key military or police and resistance individuals are unveiled but key cultural figures such as Picasso, Hemingway, Kappa and many more. The result is a clear-eyed view of the real story under the story that leaves behind the mythology, most notably the mythologies about the liberation de Paris. Bravo Patrick Bishop!

What happened to the audible version?

A few weeks ago on the Amazon site I bought the penguin audible version of this book. I've recommended it to our book club but today before our meeting tomorrow I find it impossible on Amazon to order the audible version. What happened?

There are better historical accounts of the period

The author has a highly opinionated but weakly supported view of Paris and the occupation.