The Liberation of Paris

In The Liberation of Paris, historian Jean Edward Smith recounts the remarkable and complex efforts behind the city's liberation during World War II, highlighting the collaborative actions of Americans, French, and Germans. The story explores strategic decisions, such as whether to prioritize freeing Paris or continue advancing into Germany, and the unexpected move by German commandant Dietrich von Choltitz to surrender the city intact. Smith provides a detailed, authoritative account of this pivotal moment, examining its significance and the toll it took on the broader Allied campaign.