THE GRAVEDIGGERS OF FRANCE

by Pertinax ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 18, 1944

Andre Geraud, known to the world of journalism as ""Pertinax"", correspondent for the courageous Ecko de Paris and now in this country writing for the North American Newspaper Alliance syndicate, tells the story of the fall of France in as definitive a way as is possible until after the war is over. Others have tried -- and failed, because of too definite a bias, or because of a desire to whitewash themselves, or because they were seeking a sensational approach. Pertinax appraises the mind of the French High Command, showing its share of responsibility. He studies the political figures, the appeasers, the traitors, the tools. He traces the step by step downfall, from the failure to appreciate the dangers, through the lack of preparedness, the deliberate blindness, to the final pay-off in defeat and disgrace. He takes Garelin, whose lack of elasticity condemned the military machine to outofdatedness from the start. The petty treachery of apathy and neglect bore bitter fruit. Carelessness and wavering and placing blame on others brought destruction on his own head --too late to save France. Weygand, who succeeded him, was a defeatist from the start, Darlan, an opportunist, whose final shift of front was in line with his character... Daladier, given a chance at the crucial moment, was unable to resolve his country's discord. Reynaud, who succeeded him, was an able statesman --once -- but edged towards surrender when his own deterioration made him afraid of carrying out what he knew should be done. But Pertinax' scorn is heaped chiefly on Petain, paired with Laval in the conception and execution of the counterrevolution which ultimately played into German hands and made common cause with Hitler. The book ends with an Epilogue challenging thoughtful consideration of the present in North Africa, the real defeat of the loss of the French fleet, the obloquy of ""military necessity"", the tragedy of the attitude towards De Gaulle and the French Committee. Of Giraud he says little -- damning with faint praise. He feels that France was betrayed by the conservative not the democratic impulses; that a state of revolution will follow her release; that she must prove her right to her own future, but that the only leaders that have never stood with Vichy are the only leaders who can establish that future.... It is a scholarly book, a book rooted in thorough and intimate knowledge of every phase leading to French defeat, and presented by a journalist who knows what salient facts to use, and how to give them the objectivity they need to convince the readers.

Pub Date: Aug. 18, 1944

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday, Doran

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1944

Categories: NONFICTION