Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73206 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 56 pages

Synopsis
In 1944 the British War Office distributed a handbook to British soldiers informing them what to expect and how to behave in a newly-liberated France. Containing candid descriptions of this war-ravaged society (widespread malnourishment, rampant tuberculosis) as well as useful phrases and a pronunciation guide (Bonjewer, commont-allay-voo), it was an indispensable guide to everyday life. But this small and unassuming publication had a deeper purpose: to bring together two allies who did not enjoy ideal relations in 1944. The book attempts to reconcile differences by stressing a shared history and the common aim - defeating Hitler. It also tried to dispel misapprehensions: 'There is a fairly widespread belief among people in Britain that the French are a particularly gay, frivolous people with no morals and few convictions.'

Often unintentionally hilarious in its expression of these false impressions, the book is also a guide for avoiding social embarrassment: 'If you should happen to imagine that the first pretty French girl who smiles at you intends to dance the can-can or take you to bed, you will risk stirring up a lot of trouble for yourself - and for our relations with the French.' Many of its observations still ring true today. For example, 'The French are more polite than most of us. Remember to call them "Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle," not just "Oy!"' Others remind us of how we recently we have adopted French customs: 'Don't drink yourself silly. If you get the chance to drink wine, learn to "'take it".' Anyone with an interest in Britain, France or World War II will find this an irresistible insight into British attitudes towards the French and an interesting, timeless commentary on Anglo-French relations.

Customer Reviews

Excellent insigh into the meaning of 'occupation'
I purchased this book after my son read the excellent 'American Serviceman Guide to Britain'. He was interested to read other books along the same lines. This is slightly different from the Americans book, because it goes into more detail about what it meant to the French to be occupied, dealing with subjects such as food shortages, the lack of men in towns and villages and the dangers of loose women, particularly in areas where there had been German encampments.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a greater understanding of this period, because in its comparative simplicity, it is much more than just another historical text. This is the sort of source material which my own History teacher told us is essential to really understand what was happening. At the same time, it is the sort of length that a child of +12 years will read without finding it boring.