Why read France Under Fire?

Book cover of France Under Fire: German Invasion, Civilian Flight and Family Survival During World War II

Book description

'We request an immediate favour of you, to build a shelter for us women and small children, because we have absolutely no place to take refuge and we are terrified!' This French mother's petition sent to her mayor on the eve of Germany's 1940 invasion of France reveals civilians' security…

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Why read it?

1 author picked France Under Fire as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Austin Denis Johnston

Author

A more specialized account focused on the role of women, who made up the vast majority of refugees, in petitioning government for civilian protection and assistance before and after the crisis, and their unique experiences on the road. Dombrowski Risser finds that women initiated an expansion of universal human rights in wartime to include refugees' rights. Her insightful and masterfully informed analysis of primary source materials—women's letters to government officials—brings them to life, adding illuminating, and heartrending, substance and texture.

From Austin's list on the refugee crisis in Western Europe in WW2.