This is a fascinating account of a young man's involvement with the French Maquis during World War II. The first half of the book is his first person account and introduces his fellow Maquinards, and the second half of the book is a series of interviews twenty-five years later with his former brothers-in-arms and other people in his home town.

It is an honest account and appears to be fairly unembellished, The reader gets a good sense of the waiting and anticipation associated with the resistance as well as the brief, terrifying moments of action. Death can come abruptly in this environment. Readers younger than junior high may have trouble because the phrasing is translated from the original French. Highly recommended!

I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Hitler invades Poland, 14-year old Hubert Verneret watches the French soldiers leaving South Morvan to fight, thinking that they will soon be marching victoriously through German cities. How little the Boy Scout knows! As the Germans march through France instead, he sees hordes of refugees fleeing their approach and he tries to help them. He also sees the French soldiers in a complete rout.



The brave young boy joins the Maquis and his adventures begin as he learns to shoot, attempts to prevent Germans retreating to the Rhine and looks for soldiers to take prisoner. Much of his war, to his disappointment, consists of watching and waiting, and there is a nasty episode where he almost shoots one of his own.



This was written in the middle of the war and it provides a vivid picture of the suffering of the French and the courage of the Maquis and Resistance. Some of the writing is quite beautiful and makes one wish that Verneret had written more books. There are interviews with some of the major characters in his group at the back to provide more background. It's certainly worth reading if you are interested in the French Resistance. And as Catholics are often criticised for their role in the war, I was glad to see that an Abbott was involved in Verneret's group.



I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.