A dramatic social history of the liberation of Paris in 1944, one of the most inspiring and momentous events of the twentieth century. When the Germans marched into the City of Light in 1940--and the lamps went out--the millions who loved Paris mourned. Liberation, four yaers later, triggered an explosion of joy and relief. It was the party of the century and everybody who was anybody was there. General Charles de Gaulle seized the moment to create an instant legend that would take its place alongside the great moments in French history. After years of oppression and humiliation, Parisians had risen to reclaim their city and drive out the forces of darkness--or so the story went. This fresh new account of the liberaton, packed with revelation, tells the story of those heady days of suspense, danger, exhilaration--and vengeance--through the eyes of a range of participants, reflecting all sides of the conflict American, French, and Germans; resisters and collaborators... -- adapted from jacket
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