Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If Taking Paris: The Epic Battle for the City of Lights had a slightly more truthful title, it would probably be something like Losing, Debating Over, and Then Eventually Re-Taking Paris. Not nearly as catchy, but it better describes the trajectory of this tale: how the Nazis captured Paris with relative ease, the Allies' years of strategizing to kick them out, and a few short chapters covering the re-capture itself. Short in this instance is a positive: Taking Paris is broken into over seventy brief chapters, each one designated by time and place. This keeps the book moving at a brisk pace, and is a welcome break from the overlong chapters that can normally be found in history books.

Although the book is written in the third-person, the author's opinions can be sensed through the prose at times. Dugard clearly has a tremendous amount of respect for Charles de Gaulle, the imposing French military commander who refused to surrender to Hitler and led the Free French almost entirely alone, but he has less regard for the French people who, with some exceptions--such as the Free French themselves and the soldiers who openly despaired at failing to repel the Germans--he depicts as fairly selfish and squeamish. We learn about de Gaulle's relationship with Churchill, which was uneasy, and with FDR, which was downright antagonistic (the only foreigner de Gaulle seems to have gotten along well with was Dwight Eisenhower). There are also stories about lesser-known civilians, such as a French priest who was secretly collaborating with the Nazis and a disabled American woman who went undercover for the Allies in Paris. Most unexpected is Erwin Rommel, the brilliant German general known as the "desert fox" for his campaign in Africa, who is portrayed with surprising sympathy. Dugard does not fail to note Rommel's enablement of civilian casualties and Jewish persecution, but he also strips back Rommel's fearsome persona to reveal a solitary and melancholy man who was terrified of failure and eventually grew disillusioned with Hitler.

If I had one complaint about Taking Paris, it would be that not much time is devoted to the Allied invasion of France itself, with more space being dedicated to the years leading up to it. (Unless I am misremembering, the author also forgets to mention that FDR died before the war ended when recapping the major players' lives after taking Paris at the end of the book). That being said, it remains a well-written and informative read for anyone looking to learn (and enjoy reading) about this perilous episode in world history.

I’ve studied WWII through the years but primarily focused on spies or naval battles. I knew Paris played a pivotal role in the war but this book brought the whole story of why Paris and de Gaulle were so important.

The book was easy to read and the story telling flowed like a novel. For me, a good history is one that has me ready to dig in and learn more and this book did just that.

I look forward to reading more by this author and recommend this work to anyone looking to gain a better understanding of the European players.

This review is left in exchange for an advanced copy of the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

I found this book to be a great addition to my knowledge of World War 2. This time, it is told through the eyes of the French. Dugard does a wonderful job of letting one see the effects of the war by telling it from the perspective of common citizens, international spies, and military leaders. A much easier, less technical read than most World War 2 books. Very good!

I recently completed my reading of Martin Dugard's latest popular history, entitled "Taking Paris" provided to me as an ARC by Penguin (it will be published under the Dutton Caliber imprint). Many of you will have some familiarity with Dugard's work through his lucrative collaboration with Bill O'Reilly on the "Killing" series of books that have become staples on best seller lists. The first thing that struck me about this book is that its style is largely anecdotal and filled with the trivial details that often give us a taste for the past (hence the term "popular history"). Initially, this put me off as I am well versed in military history and was hoping for considerably more depth; however, Dugard's narrative mastery is so pronounced that he quickly won me over. Keep in mind that the title is a bit misleading. The book is not exclusively about the Allies' "liberation" of Paris in 1944 (a conclusion I had, not unreasonably jumped to as a consequence of the title), but uses the City of Paris and its troubled martyrdom during the Second World War as a focal point to concentrate on the fate of France during that titanic struggle. This allows the author to introduce many characters familiar to students of the period, people like
the leaders of the Free French and their rivals as well as the German, British and American military and political figures who figured prominently in the struggle for France from the tragic failures of 1940 to the successful invasion of 1944 (and everything in between). Obviously, given the events Dugard has chosen to focus on, there is
no possibility of an in-depth exploration of often incredibly complex issues. That said, however, this is a marvelous primer of sorts. I recommend it to all those looking to fill in gaps in their own knowledge and most especially for young readers who are unlikely to be well versed in the events and thematic concerns Dugard is exploring. It would make a superb Christmas or Birthday gift for young people fascinated by history, particularly twentieth century history.

Note: I received a free copy of “ Taking Paris” in return for an honest review. My thanks to Net Galley, the author and publisher for a chance to read and recommend this book.

As an avid reader of military histories and memoirs, especially those from WW2, I had thought that the story of the liberation of Paris had been told in a book “ Is Paris Burning” , and as a chapter of countless military histories on WW2. What more could be be there to say, I thought.

But along comes “ Taking Paris” by Martin Dugard to prove me wrong. Mr. Dugard writes a fresh, informative and entertaining popular history that should have wide appeal. He accomplishes it by writing in a “ Your Are There” present - tense sort of style, making the reader a witness to events great and small involving people whose names fill histories and biographies and unknown others who also fought, alone, inside occupied France.

Example: one may think as I did despite all my reading, that when the Germans attacked France in 1940 that the entire French army collapsed in front of the Panzers like a soggy croissant. One unit did not. Led by Col. Charles DeGaulle, the French 4th Division not only stopped the Germans, they pushed them back in fierce fighting. Even when the politicians and generals surrendered, DeGaulle fought on. His story is featured in “ Taking Paris” as a man whose stubborn pride overcame all obstacles until the day he entered the liberated city. There were other French soldiers who fought on.
An example of a person whose story is told in the book is Virginia Hall. Known by many names, using many disguises, she survived the war years living under the Germans’ noses as a spy, gathering information and transmitting it back,maintains a spy cadre, and exfiltrating downed flyers , all the while the Gestapo searched for the woman with the noticeable limp ( she had a wooden leg from a hunting accident.) The author’s tale of her escape over the Pyrenees to Spain is thrilling to read.
These personal stories and many more are what make “ Taking Paris” worth the reader’s time. It is the best sort of popular history writing. The novel is factually correct with interesting details, without overwhelming the reader with arcane statistics . With the compelling personal stories it has appeal for everyone. The reader comes to know through clear vignettes the dangerous lives of men and women who fought their brutal occupiers. The clash of wills between the FDR, Churchill and DeGaulle is fascinating reading.
There are maps and footnotes. There were no photos, but this was an advanced reader copy, they may be in the final book.

Summing up: a good book, very well presented .Even those who do not usually read history will enjoy “ Taking Paris”.

Another great book by Martin Dugard! He is best known for the “killing Series” books. This will not disappoint his readers who are familiar with the author’s style of making a serious subject, such as the occupation and liberation of Paris, France, read like a spellbinding novel! Unfortunately, we all know this is not a fictional story! Unforgettable, nevertheless!

A great history novel relating the events regarding the fall and eventual recapturing of Paris in WW2. The first hand accounts and political insights added immensely to the story. A good book for the history enthusiast.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.