Choices in Vichy France: The French Under Nazi Occupation
Sweets examines closely the reactions of citizens in a single French city (Clermont-Ferrand) to the Vichy regime and the German occupiers. He presents strong evidence that collaboration was restricted, that passive resistance was widespread, and that active resistance far exceeded the numbers of those formally involved in the resistance movement. His findings challenge arguments by Robert Paxton and others and the impressions presented in Maurice Ophuls's The Sorrow and the Pity that collaboration and active support for Vichy were common. His findings are based on thorough examination of police and prefect reports, newspapers, German army intelligence reports, etc. This well-documented and provocative book is likely to become a key piece in the ongoing debate over popular attitudes during the Vichy era. Frank L. Wilson, Political Science Dept., Purdue Univ., W. Lafayettte, Ind.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.