Petain Book + PRICE WATCH * Amazon pricing is not included in price watch

Petain Book

Distinguished biographer Charles Williams sets the record straight on one of the most controversial figures to emerge during World War II. This is the true story of Pétain--an orphan peasant boy who became Commander in Chief of the French Army and a hero of the First World War, but fell from grace when he collaborated with Nazi occupiers. In revealing the motivations and determining factors behind Pétain's decisions, one of the most complex and tumultuous periods in French history is expertly unraveled. Packed with rich battle scenes and dramatic prose, Williams delivers a startling portrait of a controversial figure who wound up on the wrong side of French history.Read More

from£40.50 | RRP: £30.00
* Excludes Voucher Code Discount Also available Used from £13.80
  • Product Description

    Charles Williams' major biography of Philippe Petain (1856-1951) tells of a peasant who became a Marshal of France and the Head of the Vichy State. A slow climb up the army ranks was leading inexorably to retirement when war broke out. He defended Verdun in 1916 and settled the mutinies in 1917. In May 1940, he realised that France had been defeated and requested an armistice. As head of unoccupied France, he jockeyed between Nazis, Allies and Vichy politicians until, in 1945, he returned to France to be tried for treason. His death sentence was commuted by General de Gaulle to life imprisonment. In recounting Petain's long life, Lord Williams, one of our most notable political biographers, has successfully illustrated the character of an extraordinary man.

  • 0316861278
  • 9780316861274
  • Charles Williams
  • 12 May 2005
  • Little, Brown & Company
  • Hardcover (Book)
  • 576
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through any of the links below and make a purchase we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Click here to learn more.

Would you like your name to appear with the review?

We will post your book review within a day or so as long as it meets our guidelines and terms and conditions. All reviews submitted become the licensed property of www.find-book.co.uk as written in our terms and conditions. None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.

All form fields are required.