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Americans in Paris: Life and Death under Nazi Occupation Audiobook
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(3.02) - 385 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Acclaimed journalist Charles Glass looks to the American expatriate experience of Nazi-occupied Paris to reveal a fascinating forgotten history of the greatest generation.
In Americans in Paris, tales of adventure, intrigue, passion, deceit, and survival unfold season by season as renowned journalist Charles Glass tells the story of a remarkable cast of expatriates and their struggles in Nazi Paris. Before the Second World War began, approximately thirty thousand Americans lived in Paris, and when war broke out in 1939 almost five thousand remained. As citizens of a neutral nation, the Americans in Paris believed they had little to fear. They were wrong. Glass’ discovery of letters, diaries, war documents, and police files reveals as never before how Americans were trapped in a web of intrigue, collaboration, and courage.
Artists, writers, scientists, playboys, musicians, cultural mandarins, and ordinary businessmen—all were swept up in extraordinary circumstances and tested as few Americans before or since. These stories come together to create a unique portrait of an eccentric, original, and diverse American community.
Charles Glass has written an exciting, fast-paced, and elegant account of the moral contradictions faced by Americans in Paris during France’s dangerous occupation years. For four hard years, from the summer of 1940 until US troops liberated Paris in August 1944, Americans were intimately caught up in the city’s fate. Americans in Paris is an unforgettable tale of treachery by some, cowardice by others, and unparalleled bravery by a few.
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"This was an engrossing and compelling story of an assortment of Americans in Paris during WW2. It really brings you in to what Paris was like then---almost incomprehensible to those of us who have only been there in recent times. Sobering. Puts faces on history. "
— Suzanne (5 out of 5 stars)
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“A fascinating treat.”
— Telegraph (London) -
“A vivid gallery of expatriates animates this chronicle of Paris during the Second World War. Drawing heavily on primary source material, Glass narrates the Nazi Occupation year by year, unfolding stories of resilience and despair…By focusing with exhaustive thoroughness on a relatively small group, Glass is able to capture the complex stories of ‘as diverse a collection of opposed beliefs and backgrounds as in any American metropolis.’”
— New Yorker -
“Charles Glass handles this rich and complex material well…He never loses the reader’s attention.”
— Spectator -
“Once upon a time, historians told stories about the brave and the cowardly, about heroes, villains, and the many whose lives lay somewhere in between. That’s what Glass…has done in this extraordinary narrative…This is outstanding popular history, well researched and told and never oversimplified. It’s difficult to conceive of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy this exceptional book.”
— Library Journal -
“The American community in Paris under Nazi occupation is a wonderful subject, and Glass tells its story admirably…Malcolm Hillgartner’s deep, rich voice presents the story with interest and without unnecessary drama. He avoids corny accents in his presentation of dialogue, and his pronunciations in French and German are careful and clear.”
— AudioFile -
“Malcolm Hillgartner has a rich, melodious voice; he is also quite proficient in dealing with the French, German, and British accents as well as the French phrases sprinkled throughout. His fully voiced reading expresses the tension of this perilous time and reflects the changes in the characters’ lives.”
— SoundCommentary.com
Americans in Paris Listener Reviews
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" A very good, and interesting, history of Americans who stayed in Paris during the Nazi occupation and what they did or did not do to resist the occupation. "
— Joanne, 2/18/2014 -
" Some interesting events and people but reads like a scientific journal. "
— Mike, 2/17/2014 -
" For Americans who stayed in France in 1940, the next five years were a test of resourcefulness and character--from their privileged position as neutrals to internment as enemy aliens, Glass follows a broad spectrum of people--African-American Foreign Legionary Robert Anderson, Roosevelt in-law (and mother in law of Josee Laval) Clara Longworth de Chambrun, Dr. Sumner Jackson of the American Hospital, Ambassador William Bullitt, ambiguous businessman Charles Bedaux and Sylvia Beach of the bookstore Shakespeare and Co "
— Margaret, 2/6/2014 -
" A fabulous collection of individual's stories. "
— Debra, 2/5/2014 -
" The reader must traverse the dry Desert of Yawn in order to reach the varied oases of Ooh, That's Interesting. Still, I always give an extra star to books that make me want to read more about something. "
— L., 1/16/2014 -
" Very interesting read. It was interesting to see the different perspectives of Americans in Paris regarding what they thought was collaboration. I sided more with the resistance movement when reading. "
— Cindy, 1/12/2014 -
" Not only am I actually reading a nonfiction history book, I'm having no trouble turning the pages like a madwoman and even tearing up with emotion. I'm pretty sure this might be the apocalypse. "
— Nivair, 1/3/2014 -
" This read more like a text book than a book. Interesting premise, just too long and drawn out for me. "
— Kelly, 12/24/2013 -
" It was very interesting. All of these stories added a different perspective to the war, what it was like under the Nazi occupation (especially in Paris). I would definitely recommend it. "
— Katie, 12/4/2013 -
" This was very readable history, but a lot to digest. Interesting aspects of the book included the logic of people supporting Vichy France, internment in the showcase camps, and the deprivation in Paris as well as dangers of friendly fire. "
— Pamela, 10/29/2013 -
" Well done compilation of the lives of a dozen or more people in Paris during the occupation. "
— Aley, 10/9/2013 -
" Good read/I got a copy if you want to try it "
— Bob, 10/8/2013 -
" Overall, I enjoyed the book- though certain areas were quite dry. "
— Mandy, 8/23/2013 -
" Great concept; drug a bit in places. Loved everything about Dr. Sumner Jackson and the American Hospital. "
— Lindsay, 8/3/2013 -
" Book was very informative of that particular period in history in France. I rather enjoyed the book. "
— Jeffrey, 12/5/2012 -
" An interesting snapshot of a turbulent time. "
— Jessie, 10/9/2012 -
" An overwhelmingly exhausting catalog of the minutiae of high society Americans. "
— Eric, 8/19/2012 -
" I seem to have a fascination with World War II stories lately. I found this fascinating. "
— Deb, 7/22/2012 -
" I learned a lot from what I read of the book, but it moved too slowly to keep my interest. I may give it a try at another time. "
— Susan, 2/25/2012 -
" Not only am I actually reading a nonfiction history book, I'm having no trouble turning the pages like a madwoman and even tearing up with emotion. I'm pretty sure this might be the apocalypse. "
— Nivair, 6/22/2011 -
" Good read/I got a copy if you want to try it "
— Bob, 3/28/2011 -
" An alternative perspective about WWII Paris. I read this before going to Paris, and it greatly informed my understanding of the city and its famous landmarks. "
— Jayme, 3/22/2011 -
" Great stories / very difficult to read...stick with and get through.<br/>Full of fascinating facts, though.<br/>I would recommend it. "
— Mamama, 12/14/2010 -
" An overwhelmingly exhausting catalog of the minutiae of high society Americans. "
— Eric, 12/5/2010 -
" Overall, I enjoyed the book- though certain areas were quite dry. "
— Mandy, 11/30/2010 -
" Can't say I really liked the book, theough the premise looked interesting. There were some interesting bits, might be worth it for some... "
— MaryBeth, 4/6/2010 -
" on page 109- love this era- love sylvia beach-is late now will go curl up with diet coke cat and said book warmenough to lie with windows open a perfect night por moi bon nuit! "
— Squeaktooth, 3/16/2010 -
" This read more like a text book than a book. Interesting premise, just too long and drawn out for me. "
— Kelly, 2/22/2010
About Charles Glass
Charles Glass was the chief Middle East correspondent for ABC News from 1983 to 1993 and has covered wars in the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans. His writings appear in Harper’s Magazine, the New York Review of Books, London Review of Books, the Independent, and the Spectator. He is the author of They Fought Alone, Tribes with Flags, The Tribes Triumphant, Money for Old Rope, The Northern Front, Americans in Paris: Life and Death Under Nazi Occupation, and The Deserters: A Hidden History of World War II.
About Malcolm Hillgartner
Malcolm Hillgartner is an accomplished actor, writer, and musician. Named an AudioFile Best Voice of 2013 and the recipient of several Earphones Awards, he has narrated over 250 audiobooks.