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Review
'set to become one of the most unlikely bestsellers of the year' - Chris Hastings, Sunday Telegraph
Product Description
In 1944 the British War Office distributed a handbook to British soldiers informing them what to expect and how to behave in a newly-liberated France. Containing candid descriptions of this war-ravaged society (widespread malnourishment, rampant tuberculosis) as well as useful phrases and a pronunciation guide (Bonjewer, commont-allay-voo), it was an indispensable guide to everyday life. This small, unassuming publication had a deeper purpose: to bring together two allies who did not enjoy ideal relations in 1944. The book attempts to reconcile differences by stressing a shared history and the common aim - defeating Hitler. It also tried to dispel misapprehensions: 'There is a fairly widespread belief among people in Britain that the French are a particularly gay, frivolous people with no morals and few convictions.' Often unintentionally hilarious in its expression of these false impressions, the book is also a guide for avoiding social embarrassment: 'If you should happen to imagine that the first pretty French girl who smiles at you intends to dance the can-can or take you to bed, you will risk stirring up a lot of trouble for yourself - and for our relations with the French.' Many of its observations still ring true today. For example, 'The French are more polite than most of us. Remember to call them "Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle," not just "Oy!"' Others remind us of how we recently we have adopted French customs: 'Don't drink yourself silly. If you get the chance to drink wine, learn to "'take it".' Anyone with an interest in Britain, France or World War II will find this an irresistible insight into British attitudes towards the French and an interesting, timeless commentary on Anglo-French relations.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
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I purchased this book after my son read the excellent 'American Serviceman Guide to Britain'. He was interested to read other books along the same lines. This is slightly different from the Americans book, because it goes into more detail about what it meant to the French to be occupied, dealing with subjects such as food shortages, the lack of men in towns and villages and the dangers of loose women, particularly in areas where there had been German encampments.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a greater understanding of this period, because in its comparative simplicity, it is much more than just another historical text. This is the sort of source material which my own History teacher told us is essential to really understand what was happening. At the same time, it is the sort of length that a child of +12 years will read without finding it boring.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a greater understanding of this period, because in its comparative simplicity, it is much more than just another historical text. This is the sort of source material which my own History teacher told us is essential to really understand what was happening. At the same time, it is the sort of length that a child of +12 years will read without finding it boring.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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2 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
So You're Going to Invade France?
2 Aug 2006
Amazon Verified Purchase
British soldiers heading to France for D-Day were given this slim volume to help prepare them for what would, for most, be a different culture. The great majority would have no knowledge of France, the French language or customs. The idea was to keep British soldiers from blunders that would drive a wedge between Britain and France, hence aiding the cause of the Axis. As such, this little book offers a snapshot of how Britain regarded France, and for that reason alone still makes valuable reading.
I suspect if you substitute America and American for Britain and British in the above, you'd have a useful parallel for today. My only criticism regards the omission of most of the useful French phrases given to the soldier in the original book; only a vestage remains.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and found the insights both useful for the period and relevant for today.
Highly recommended.
I suspect if you substitute America and American for Britain and British in the above, you'd have a useful parallel for today. My only criticism regards the omission of most of the useful French phrases given to the soldier in the original book; only a vestage remains.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and found the insights both useful for the period and relevant for today.
Highly recommended.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Don't drink the wine and whatever you do, don't mention the war
9 Mar 2008
This pamphlet was written by the late Herbert Ziman, a former "Daily Telegraph" correspondent who served with the Political Warfare Executive during the Second World War. Hundreds of thousands of copies were distributed to British servicemen.
A few of the "instructions" are in the nature of directions or orders:
"Don't drink yourself silly. If you get a chance to drink wine, learn to 'take it'. The failure of some British troops to do so was the point made against our men in France in 1939 and 1940 and again in North Africa."
"The French are more polite than most of us. Remember to call them 'Monsieur', 'Madame', 'Mademoiselle', not just 'Oy!'."
The great majority of the "instructions", however, impart of knowledge of the French culture:
"If you should happen to imagine that the first pretty French girl who smiles at you intends to dance the can-can or take you to bed, you will risk stirring up a lot of trouble for yourself -- and for our relations with the French."
"The ordinary Frenchman is, indeed, without losing his practical point of view, usually more conscious of art than the ordinary Englishman. By and large, Frenchmen, whatever their income or job, are inclined to what we call a 'middle-class' view of life."
"What interested Frenchmen was, and is, France: they think that France is a very great country, with a great record of civilization -- and they have every reason to think so."
Samuel Fanous at the Bodleian Library captures the essence of Ziman's style of teaching: "I think the book transcends generic boundaries. On the one hand it is military history, on the other hand it's humour. It is a multi-disciplinary book and it is quintessentially British. It is direct, reserved and wonderfully understated."
I found it a fascinating insight into both French and English cultures.
Robert C. Ross 2008
A few of the "instructions" are in the nature of directions or orders:
"Don't drink yourself silly. If you get a chance to drink wine, learn to 'take it'. The failure of some British troops to do so was the point made against our men in France in 1939 and 1940 and again in North Africa."
"The French are more polite than most of us. Remember to call them 'Monsieur', 'Madame', 'Mademoiselle', not just 'Oy!'."
The great majority of the "instructions", however, impart of knowledge of the French culture:
"If you should happen to imagine that the first pretty French girl who smiles at you intends to dance the can-can or take you to bed, you will risk stirring up a lot of trouble for yourself -- and for our relations with the French."
"The ordinary Frenchman is, indeed, without losing his practical point of view, usually more conscious of art than the ordinary Englishman. By and large, Frenchmen, whatever their income or job, are inclined to what we call a 'middle-class' view of life."
"What interested Frenchmen was, and is, France: they think that France is a very great country, with a great record of civilization -- and they have every reason to think so."
Samuel Fanous at the Bodleian Library captures the essence of Ziman's style of teaching: "I think the book transcends generic boundaries. On the one hand it is military history, on the other hand it's humour. It is a multi-disciplinary book and it is quintessentially British. It is direct, reserved and wonderfully understated."
I found it a fascinating insight into both French and English cultures.
Robert C. Ross 2008
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