The French at War, 1934-1944

The years 1934 to 1944 remain the most contentious and dramatic decade in modern French history. After the bourgeois self-confidence of the 1920's, France was plunged into a depression out of which there seemed no escape. The authoritarian regime of Marshal Petain hoped to bring unity and an overhaul of French institutions, but in the event it only achieved discord, especially through its policy of collaboration with Germany and its persecution of Jews and other minorities. The French at War provides an accessible and concise introduction to this period. In a wide ranging synthesis, the book examines:

•  the backdrop of the 1930's
•  the reason for France's defeat
•  the nature of the Vichy regime
•  the phenomenon of collaboration
•  the growth of resistance

Looking ahead to the present day, the book also looks at how the French establishment and public have coped with the legacy of Vichy, and explains why the occupation is still ever present in French politics and everyday life. An array of primary documents support the text, together with a chronology, glossary and Who's Who guide to key figures. Nicholas Atkin is a Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Reading.