War in the Shadows: Resistance, Deception and Betrayal in Occupied France

(Hardback)

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Description

In 1962 the young Patrick Marnham set off by car for a small village in central France. There he was taught French by an imperious countess, who he later discovered had fought in the Resistance until, betrayed, she was sent to Ravensbrck concentration camp. On the very same day that his hostesss network was broken, Jean Moulin, de Gaulles delegate as head of the combined Resistance forces, was arrested in Lyons, where he was tortured by Klaus Barbie before dying in Gestapo custody. Was this coincidence, or were these events connected Theanonymous letter writer suggested a key to the mystery. Using a knowledge of France gained from 12 years as the Independents Pariscorrespondent, and subsequent research inarchivesin England and France, Marnham set out to discover thetruth about the betrayal of the old lady who had become his tutor and friend.Following a trail leading from London through Occupied Europe to the rankand file Resistance in lost corners of France, he has unravelled the story ofa complex wartime deception, involving British, American and Frenchintelligence services. The House by the Rivershines a light on the brutality and cynicism of the Secret War and reveals how it was actually fought. The result is a story of ruthless double-dealing worthy of John le Carr, but with this difference: itis not a fiction.

Reviews

War in the Shadows is a melange of Le Grand Meaulnes and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. It is unforgettable.

* TLS, BOOKS OF THE YEAR *

A masterly analysis, impeccably presented.

* Spectator *

It is beautifully written, minutely observed full of underhand trickery in every sense of the word an intriguing book.

-- Roger Boyes, The Times

Fascinating Marnham has a vast and scholarly knowledge of this often treacherous world [and] has painted a vivid picture of a number of idealistic and trusting men and women caught up in a game of subterfuge, rivalry and politics that remains impervious to full exposure, even now.

* Literary Review *

Combining history and personal memoir it has all the intrigue, duplicity and betrayal of a Le Carr or Deighton thriller.

-- Herald

Patrick Marnham is one of our very best writers on France.

-- Antony Beevor

A brilliant and revelatory work of modern historical investigation, throwing new light on the French Resistance and the complex world of secret intelligence. Written with remarkable insight, understanding and empathy a triumph.

-- William Boyd

An incredible story brilliantly told. Marnham has created an utterly gripping story of wartime espionage, deception, double-crossing and terrible betrayal that drew me in from the outset. A stunning work of investigation, research and scholarship. I honestly think this is the best book I have ever read about the SOE in France.

-- James Holland

Author Bio

Patrick Marnham is a biographer, reporter and screenwriter. His biographies have covered subjects as diverse as Diego Rivera, Georges Simenon, Jean Moulin and Mary Wesley. He was a staff writer for Private Eye, a BBC script writer, Literary Editor of the Spectator and Paris correspondent of the Independent. His most recent book is Snake Dance: Journeys Beneath a Nuclear Sky. He lives near Oxford.