Is Paris Burning? Paperback – 1 May 2015

This is a great story, meticulously researched and well told, of the negotiations and actions preventing the destruction of historic Paris and its Seine bridges by the retreating Germans in August 1944. Hitler ordered General von Choltitz to destroy the city and prevent it falling into allied hands..Choltitz was appalled by the order and sought every means of delaying its implementation even if it meant covert negotiations and co-operation with members of the various French resistance organisations and political parties. Choltitz procrastinated over the implementation of Hitlers order at danger of being accused of failure to obey the direct orders of the Fuhrer. Rapid action by Resistance groups, Paris Gendarmes and political parties within Paris held the city whist the allies rushed the French armoured Division under General Leclerc to take the city militarily.The tense atmosphere, the complexity and pace of events and the knife edge 'will they make it'feelings are well captured. A thrilling and absorbing description of real events and characters which reads like thee very best fiction.

Yes, an enjoyable (!) read. There is some injection of fiction I suspect in the style of a modern TV series which makes it flow easily. It accompanied me on a short trip to PARIS which took me a little longer to finish but I recalled many of the streets and squares mentioned that were part of that visit. How different things must of been for an occupied city in war compared to London, say, who was not conquered as such. The quest of de Gaulle Vs the Communist resistance is also interesting - as is the current day apparent friendship between France and Germany.

A good in depth thoroughly researched book

This is a great account of the liberation of Paris under Nazi rule. The complex story is well told with all the elements coming together for a triumphant return of the combined forces of the French resistance and the allied forces.However, the reading experience was ruined by the appalling typographic transfer from book to Kindle. Practically every page contains a line break in the middle of a sentence followed by an indent to indicate a new paragraph on the next line. Who the hell is responsible for such sloppy work-can anybody explain how and who is responsible for transfer from book to kindle?

The pace never lets up with this book. I thought I was reasonably knowledgeable about the history of the period, but how wrong I was! This book is genuienly brilliant, every page a gem of building factual knowledge and humanity. What a contradiction people are, some German occupying soldiers executing French citizens for curfew breeches one morning and on another morning simply making those that had been detained for that offence shine the German soldiers boots before releasing them from custody. Later in August 1944 herding many French resistance to concentration camps as the Allies approached, and yet, we also find a small group of German Nazi SS helping an old lady look for her lost cat. Then there is the power play between the different political sides of the French resistance and of course the English hating ungrateful Charles De Gaulle. What a book.

I totally enjoyed this detailed account of the time leading up to the liberation of Paris. It's thoroughly researched and full of interesting personal stories of the the lives of both the occupying Germans and liberating allied forces. Highly recommend it.

Perfect description of the book, in terms of apearance & quality. Fast effective delivery. Will certainly be ordering similiar items again. Gripping 2nd World War fictioin. Could not put the book down. Read it in two days over Christmas. Will certainly be reading more of the material, from the 2 authors.

Good read.

We have been to Paris many times and this reading relived so much of what we know of Paris today. The authors did an incredible job of putting together the facts and delivering a message.

A very well researched book, and very well written. It brings to life a very important period during the Second World war. It shows the complexity of conflicting interests as they unfold, leading to the liberation of Paris. Reading this book. one realizes how close Paris came to actually being burnt to the ground, to being obliterated. I would highly recommend it.

Awesome and very kind informations are being given about how Paris had miraculously escaped Hitler's death sentence.Second I received the book 10 days in advance. So thanks to Amazon for such a fast delivery.Condition of the book is absolutely fine and the pages are of very good quality

Interesting story of Paris Liberation and the final days of the war. The book was very educational for serious readers, but not for all.

But it’s still a nice book to enjoy and definitely has a feel good factor and on the liberation of France