×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

Americans in Paris

Author:
ISBN-10: 1594202427
ISBN-13: 9781594202421
Contributor:
Review Date:

Full Title: Americans in Paris: Life and Death Under Nazi Occupation

When war broke out in Europe in 1939, the United States, though far less than neutral, remained non-belligerent, thus American citizens in France experienced the horrors of war, but some a relative sideline. These Americans were from all walks of life, whether doctors, librarians, politicians, musicians, industrialists, or retired military men. In Americans in Paris, author Charles Glass told the stories of some of these Americans, and how some of their lives intertwined with war, politics, and each other. The story of Charles Bedaux perhaps grabbed my attention the most; a businessman who had a grand vision of constructing a trans-Saharan pipeline to bring peanut oil into fat-starved Europe, he nevertheless was accused of being a traitor to the United States by working with the German occupation in France to get that project started. Sumner Jackson, a respectable surgeon to the public, disguised Allied fighters as patients in his hospital until they could escape into friendly territory. Characters of less historical consequence also dotted the narratives, providing their own little gems of stories. 83-year-old African-American Charles Anderson, veteran of both US Army and the French Army many decades ago, watched the Allied victory parade in Paris and turned away in subdued sadness as he noticed that the Americans still excluded African-Americans from taking part in the victory parade; "Paris had been liberated. America would take longer", the author wrote to conclude the book in reference to Anderson's disappointment. Off topic, but perhaps hints at the next challenge for the American society for the coming decades.

I had reviewed this title in its audio book format. Malcolm Hillgartner did a good job reading the book, with clear pronunciation and good pace, and to my untrained ears it seemed like he had prepared well for the many French words in this book. His baritone voice was somehow fitting for the job.

I had enjoyed Americans in Paris. Though not at all a work of war history, it nevertheless provided new perspectives for me in the understanding of war time France.



Back to Main | Back to Book Reviews Index




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds


Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
More on Americans in Paris
Related Person:
» Laval, Pierre

Affiliated Link:
» Americans in Paris
Famous WW2 Quote
"With Germany arming at breakneck speed, England lost in a pacifist dream, France corrupt and torn by dissension, America remote and indifferent... do you not tremble for your children?"

Winston Churchill, 1935


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!