Defying Vichy by Robert Pike

Defying Vichy by Robert Pike

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Summary

A timely reappraisal of the actions and motivations of the French Résistance in Vichy France, 75 years after its undoing

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Defying Vichy by Robert Pike

‘Defying Vichy takes us into the heart of the French Resistance: the Dordogne region (in) this moving account of the darkest and brightest period in French history.’ – Matthew Cobb, author of The Resistance Vichy France under Marshal Pétain was an authoritarian regime that sought to perpetuate a powerful place for France in the world alongside Germany. It echoed the right-wing ideals of other fascist states and was a perfect instrument for Hitler, who drew more and more power and resources from a beaten France whose people suffered. Resistance was an unknown until a small number sought to make a stand in whatever way they could. Each would play their part in destabilising the Vichy state, all the while rejecting the Nazi occupation of their eternal France. The Dordogne was one of many hotbeds of early refusal and its dramatic stories are here told against the backdrop of the rise and fall of Vichy France. These stories, like so many others of often ordinary people – men and women, young and old – tell of a period of betrayal, refusal and heroism.
'Pacey and engaging.. a fascinating contribution to the field.' -- Robert Gildea
'A meticulously researched and valuable contribution to the history of the German occupation.' -- Caroline Moorehead
"A vivid and evocative account ... Robert Pike is to be applauded for bringing these stories to a wider readership." -- Hanna Diamond
'A moving account of the darkest and brightest period in French history.' -- Matthew Cobb
'Pulsating with action and detailed stories.' -- Rod Kedward
Excellent ... A detailed, well-written and eminently readable book that will be of interest to any student or scholar of Vichy and the Occupation years. -- David Lees * MODERN & CONTEMPORARY FRANCE *
ROBERT PIKE is a graduate of the University of Exeter in History and French. His fascination with the German occupation of France and the Vichy period led to him tracking down former Resistance members and trawling official archives and secondary histories in order to understand the Resistance from the ground up. His quest to tell the stories of the few that acted, and the many others whose actions still remain shrouded in mystery, begins with Defying Vichy.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780750985529
ISBN 10 0750985526
Title Defying Vichy
Author Robert Pike
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Hardback
Publisher The History Press Ltd
Year published 2018-11-28
Number of pages 320
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.