Taking Paris

The Epic Battle for the City of Lights

De: Martin Dugard

Narrado por: Samuel Roukin

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[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.

Highly recommended

One of my favorite listens. Entertaining, historical, full of suspense. Consider myself knowledgeable about WW2 and enjoyed the character profiles immensely.

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!

The perseverance of the true French patriots.

Well written, and researched. Many details not generally known. Charles de Gaule portrayed in a very favourable way which is not always the case.

Surprisingly GOOD

First Dugard read and won’t be the last. I have read over 400 books on history in the last 5 years, l learned so many new world war 2 facts from this book it was amazing. The chronically logic presentation of the events presented was an absolute plus. WW2 enthusiasts will love the book

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.

Historical mistake at the beginning of the book

Martin Dugard States at the beginning of the book that the Germans were able to sustain the attack on France for days by the adrenaline of battle. I wish he had mentioned with his usual interesting diligence the use of crystal meth by German soldiers in World War II. “The use of methamphetamine, better known as crystal meth, was particularly prevalent: A pill form of the drug, Pervitin, was distributed by the millions to Wehrmacht troops before the successful invasion of France in 1940.”

Well done

Clear, professional narration.

Interesting format: chronological interweaving of fall of Paris, then its liberation. Interesting descriptions of key players.