As with the other reviews here, I agree that this is a well written, easy to understand overview of the French Resistance.
I've studied the basics of WWII in school and read a few books on the war, but this is the first time that I've ever read anything about the Resistance itself. I had no idea just how diverse the movement was - that in fact, it was not a homogenous movement at all.
Prof. Cobb describes the courage of individuals; the attempts to organise; the politics and differences not just amongst the groups in occupied and Vichy France, but with De Gaulle and the Allies as well. There are here true tales of bravery, of heroism, of treason and deceit,of cynical manipulation, and of barbarity and savagery. This book reads like a suspense thriller - once you start, it's hard to put down.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in WWII history, or the study of resistance movements.
As an accompanying entertainment, I recommend the 1969 classic Jean-Pierre Melville film Army of Shadows (L'armée des ombres). This is not a true story, but does encorporate and is enspired by some actual events. Melville himself was apparently in the resistance.
