Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #609415 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

Financial Times (FT Magazine), May 19, 2007
'Diamond has an excellent eye for the striking detail...this book
is an invaluable account of the fall of France.'

Review
Diamond has providedus with a compelling account of the exodus, one which vividly brings to life a period of profound upheaval in French society. (Lynne Taylor, The English Historical Review )

The strength of Diamond's book is to convey the poignancy, drama and ambiguity of an experience that directly touched the lives of many more people than the Resistance ever did... her readable book superbly conveys the strange unreality of those hot summer days of 1940. (Julian Jackson, Times Higher Education Supplement )

A fascinating story, rich in biblical drama, and one that has not been previously told in English. [Diamond] is excellent at describing the political machinations that culminated in Paul Reynaud's resignation...[a] valuable book. (Walter Cook, Tribune )

Gripping reading. (Max Hastings, Sunday Times (Culture) )

Hanna Diamond...tells the story vividly and even-handedly. [This] book benefits greatly from the vast number of r witness memoirs. (Allan Massie, Literary Review )

A vivid and poignant account... a forgotten moment of the devastation of war brought to life. (Robert Gildea, author of 'Marianne in Chains' )

Diamond has an excellent eye for the striking detail...as a work of history, this book is an invaluable account of the fall of France, seen through the lens of the sufferings of its citizens. (Carmen Callil, Financial Times (FT Magazine) )

a major contribution (Modern and Contemporary France, Volume 15, Number 4 )

Literary Review, June 2007
'Hanna Diamond...tells the story vividly and even-handedly.'

Customer Reviews

Refugees and War
Much has been written regarding the fall of France in 1940 and in particular the Dunkirk evacuation. Less so the even larger evacuation of civilians from the invaded territory and the appalling suffering of families who in many cases experienced retreat and dislocation for the second time in a generation. This study adds significantly to the understanding of these events, particularly the impact that refugees had in disrupting the Allied response whilst also providing targets of opportunity to add fear and confusion and so fulfil the expectations of Blitzkrieg. Many personal accounts support the narrative and one is left with the image of desperation and frustration of the French civilians who were not trusted by their government to know the reality of the situation. What also comes across clearly is the French belief in the superiority of their army and belief in victory; something that is at odds with many of our perceptions today, conditioned by the apparent invincibility of the German Army at that time. A good exploration of the civilian dilemma in warfare.

Mike McCarthy
Editor, The Battle Guide
Guild of Battlefield Guides