France Books

Villainous Bourbons try mightily to murder one of Napoleon's finest generals in an historical thriller about Marshal Michel Ney, whom the Emperor called "the bravest of the brave." When high ranking French and English rescue Ney from certain execution behind the Luxembourg Palace in 1815, the adventure begins. Bradshaw's thoroughly researched account of what became of this extraordinary man who spoke several languages, was an expert swordsman, and possessed a notable physique convinced this reader that Ney did, indeed, confound the French rulers and escape his ordered death. The historical detail and fast-paced narrative make this a story that will keep you on edge until the last page.

The time and research put forth on Execution Denied pay off in the finished product. You needn't be a history buff to be moved by this compelling novel. Marshall Ney had to be the "Bravest of the Brave", both in battle and in political suvival skills. Ney 's portrayal is fascinating on many levels. Bradshaw does a great job convincing you that Ney not only survived his enemies, but went forward to an intriguing life in the Carolinas. Well done!

Bradshaw's dedicated, precise and unending research on Ney coupled with interesting, exciting and very probable historical events makes for an excellent novel about a fascinating man. I didn't want the book to end.

Despite being an historical "novel" the research and inference suggest far more fact than assumption. The book flows and the story is compelling. Bradshaw has done an excellent job of engaging the reader and keeping the story alive. It is hard to put down once you atart. Whether a history buff or not it is a fine addition to the collection of books about Ney. Reading the research Bradshaw has done in support of the underlying theme one is driven to the conclusion that it is not only plausible that Ney was executed in France but died in the Carolinas, but probably true. One can only wonder what the French will say to this.

This is probably Vollmann at his best. It isn't "Argall," which I found esoteric and difficult. I didn't finish "Argall," and I really suspect that the novel is less well-read and understood than it is publicly praised.

"Fathers and Crows" isn't difficult - it's passionately involved, balanced, epic and completely absorbing.

This is one of the best novels I have ever read, if not the best. Vollmann's prose-- his use of language, his landscapes, his characterizations, everything-- is absolutely gorgeous. This book is such a treat that I intentionally read it slowly in order to savor it. I can't reccomend it highly enough.

plucked Blossoms of SOULS (Fearing Never a Thorn); Who PRAYED BLOOD to SANCTIFY THE BONES OF CATAMOUNTS; who foreswore RUM, WOMEN and LEAD, Who were SO ASTOUNDED at the unfathomable extinctions of SAVAGES; who MADE MORE MIRACLES THAN THEY SAW!

Thus begins Vollmann's Second Dream "ABOUT OUR CONTINENT IN THE DAYS OF SAINTS". Fathers & Crows is long, and long-winded, however if you're up to the task and looking for a very interesting journey into New France (Canada) as it was in the early 17th Century, then this is the book you've been looking for. Without going into detail about William Vollmann or his 7 Dreams project (see my review of THE ICE SHIRT, vol. 1) I should point out that this is a blend of history and post-modern novel writing. Time is skewed in such a way that the characters (such as Champlain, Poutrincourt, or Pere Brebeuf, for example) are sometimes walking through modern day Quebec and not realizing it. As in The Ice Shirt, Vollmann occasionally blends his contemporary experiences traveling in and around Montreal into the "plot" (though there's not really a plot in any traditional sense here) is very effective in adding perspective into the history which has taken place, and CONTINUES to take place. Even Jesus, St. Ignatious de Loyola (especially), and Roberto de Nobili arrive on stage here! And special mention to the converted "Savages" such as Amantacha, Joseph Chiwatenah, and Catherine Tekakwitha.

Fathers and Crows is about the French colonization of Canada, and begins almost 500 years later, after the Vikings left the continent in failure (but not before bringing the Ice Shirt). Not long after Columbus arrived, French explorers such as Cabot, and then the map-obsessed Champlain, along with the Poutrincourts and the Pontgraves, sailed along the Fleuve St. Laurent and founded small outposts in what is modern day Quebec. From the very beginning they encountered native American peoples such as the Algonkins, Huron, and the dreaded Iroquois. The French, unlike the English in Virgnia (see vol. 3, ARGALL) attempted to assimilate these various tribes, mainly through trade (IRON for BEAVER pelts) and most importantly, through submission to CHRISTIANITY. Thus, the Grey Gowns (the Recollects) and later on, the more successful Black Gowns, or JESUITS.

Now you can read a straight-forward history on this time period in another place by a traditional historian, but after having read The Ice Shirt and now Fathers & Crows, I'm convinced that Vollmann's Seven Dreams are excellent blends of history and modern travelouge, along with personal experience (and a predisposition to favor women in the form of prostitutes), and extensive research into personalities, events, technologies, religion, and mythology. Sometimes he may play a little "loose" with time frames, but he documents just about everything somewhere in his 100+ pages of Glossary notes!

On a final note, it's not necessary to start with Vol. 1 at all -if the subject of first encounters between Europeans & Native Americans; Jesuits, French explorers, French Canada, or anything at all to do with North American cultural history (and legacy) interests you, then this a great book (and series) to own. You'll dream of floating down Canadian rivers, or ascending the rapids with the Jesuit Peres doing St. Ignatius' "EXERCISES" (around which the total drama unfolds, as it did with Ice and Frost and varioous "shirts" of reality in vol. 1).

Unbelievable that this amazing novel has so few reviews (but, actually, maybe not given the sad state of most American reader's attention spans anymore - oh well, too bad - YOU'RE ALL MISSING OUT!). For those who do find their way here, give Fathers & Crows a shot. Yes, it's long-winded and you may get bored and say "enough"! Fine. If not, like me, you might just paddle on in your canoe and find yourself hooked, and learning a heck of a lot of new and mostly obscured or glossed over (or simply forgotten) history which will tell you EVERYTHING about who we are as North Americans today. Happy voyages, eh! Next up: ARGALL.

William T. Vollmann may be the most important young writer in North America. This, his third novel details the clashes between native and european cultures in North America in the sixteenth century. Vollmann chronicles the unrelenting brutality of the time period and the inevitable economic imperatives that predict the demise of native American culture once the resources of the land become apparent. He manages to skillfully blend the mysticism of native culture with the harsh reality of the landscape and the men whose very nature it was to take what they wanted. He melds these disparate themes together in an exotic narrative that forces one to examine how European contact decimated the native peoples. When one completes the novel there is no doubt how the war was one; the only question left being our consciences and how to reconcile modern day attitudes withe stark reality of history. This exhaustive effort brings us almost halfway to the authors stated goal of a seven novel series; one can only wonder what is left in store but with Vollmann's imagination in full flight we anticipate a wild ride ahead

Beautifully illustrated and well told. Frances' art is to die for (no pun intended). Her luscious gothic world is definitely a keeper. I cannot wait for the next installment in the Favole series. Disappointingly short though.

i loved this book the only problem is that its too short. this girl is a terific writer and artist and i recomend this to any one who likes reading edgar allan poe or bram stoker. it is meant for a mature crowd but anyone who loves literature will like this piece

The stories in this book are so poetic and beautiful. The gothic art work is amazing! The colors are soft, but yet still bold. I love it!!

I first saw some of Victoria Frances' art in an issue of "Heavy Metal", and I fell in love with it right then. When I got the book, "Flavole: Stone Tears", I felt like I was reading a dream. The art is unbelievable. I love this book, and I can't wait for more books in this series.

I first read this book in the mid 70's and it still is one of the best books of it's kind ever written.The story tells of just one day in the first world war from both the British and German point of view.Individual personal stories are described which give a human dimension to the conflict that is often missing in
histories of the period.This book is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the Battle of the Somme or the wider conflict.Both the before and after events are described so one is able to see the whole picture.A terrible picture emerges from
these pages as would be expected but also an extraordinary story of endurance and fortitude asserts itself by the time you have finished the book.You cannot but be in awe of those who passed through this battle and survived to tell their story here.
There are no good guys or bad guys in this story just ordinary men from all walks of life who found themselves in truly dire circumstances.Almost one million casualties-on both sides-were incurred during the whole period of the Somme from July to November 1916-sixty thousand in just this one day.
Many of the soldiers have no known grave-seventy thousand of whom are remembered at the Thiepval memorial to the missing.
As long as books like this are written the fallen are remembered from this battle and all others-indeed as Kipling wrote ...Their name liveth for evermore...

Please note that I am 51 not 13 who prefers to remain anomynous.

The Somme saw 60,000 casualties in its first days. An entire generation of English youth was whipped out as they charged into a hail of led. This definitive account of the first day of the battle gives a wonderful introduction into the horrors of trench warefare in World War One and will make you understand why the war created so many pacisifists since the battles were full of meaningless slaughter. A very scholaraly account which includes much military detail and many maps and figures that makes one feel like they are an arm chair general at the Somme. A wonderful account of the epic battle.

One problem with battle histories is that writers tend to overstate the horror and the gore. Martin Middlebrook did not face this temptation in 'The First Day on the Somme.' It could hardly be overstated.

This book was written in 1969-71, when Middlebrook was able to interview about 200 veterans of the battle. He follows the paths of 10 of them -- all Britons -- whose experiences were, even for that bloody day, extraordinary. He frankly ignores the French part of the assault, and quotes sparingly from the German defenders.

Fair enough. This is British history written for Britons, and, in 1971, still a vivid social and even political memory in the U.K. For my taste, he is far too lenient on the generals. The famous postwar description of the British Army -- 'lions led by donkeys' -- was cruel but entirely just.
Middlebrook does not mention it.

He is somewhat tougher on the politicians in London, though they get little attention.

Reading 'First Day' now, 90 years afterward, inspires other reflections: how deep class and religious divisions were in Britain, and how damaging.

Class affected how much a boy ate. The British fielded a 'Bantam Division' of men all under 5-foot-3. They fought well, to defend a society that didn't think they deserved to eat regularly.

In 1916 (and for a generation after), most people could not drive automobiles, or were unable to master the art if they tried. The technology was too unfamiliar to people who grew up with horses. It was a blunder with the darkest consequences to fight a mechanized war with leaders from the Horse Age.

The Somme saw 60,000 casualties in its first days. An entire generation of English youth was whipped out as they charged into a hail of led. This definitive account of the first day of the battle gives a wonderful introduction into the horrors of trench warefare in World War One and will make you understand why the war created so many pacisifists since the battles were full of meaningless slaughter. A very scholaraly account which includes much military detail and many maps and figures that makes one feel like they are an arm chair general at the Somme. A wonderful account of the epic battle.

Sheep are not famous for their personalities... except for the two protagonists of Wild and Woolly, a completely charming new picture book by Mary Jessie Parker, beautifully illustrated by Shannon McNeill. Parker has adeptly created two lovable, funny sheep, as different from each other as .... well, as different as a domestic sheep and a bighorn ram could be. They are so different, in fact, that neither recognizes the other as a sheep when they first meet. This gentle and amusing tale is a lesson in accepting differences, and in learning that though we may be different on the outside we're not all that different on the inside. And it's a foreign language textbook, too, because the clever dialogue gives teacher, parent, or grandma the perfect opportunity to learn to speak fluent Baaaaa!

You know you've bought a winner when your son is sitting in the back of the car, imitating one of the characters: "I'm Picket, Hardy-arf-arf."

Wild and Woolly has quickly become a family favorite. A story of two new friends who explore each other's homes and discover there's more than one way to be a sheep, it resists moralizing in favor of story, and provides three (if you count Picket the dog, which our family certainly does) fantastic role models for children learning to make and keep friends while staying true to themselves.

Mary Jessie Parker's playful language treats adults to some good laughs, while maintaining a clean, resonant story-telling style reminiscent of Frog and Toad. Shannon McNeill's expressive illustrations ice the cake.

...would still be a sheep, wouldn't it? Or would it?
Sheep they are but oh, the differences. Comparisons fascinate, educate and entertain. Parker's spare text, like a mother, favors neither and both. Together they make a whole with adventures of fun as they try to understand and appreciate the other. The charming illustrations add to the appeal of Wild and Woolly and we are loathe to choose between them. Like George and Martha, they go together. Hoping for more episodes of the two and only, Wild! and Woolly.

This is a fun and touching take of "City Mouse/Country Mouse", by way of sheep. The very well-written story appeals to my 3 year olds, but also has enough dry humor to make me chuckle every time I read it - which is very, very often. The illustrations are fantastic, too! The story might be a bit long for the young pre-school set, though my kids easily sit through it; nonetheless, it would be a great buy for anyone with youngsters.

Its for a very niche audience, technology marketers, technology product managers, technology online marketers. Especially if you're in the telecommunications industry.

Great writing style, quick read, essential reading if you fit into the targeted audience.

This is a great book for light reading or serious investigation.
Even though the book is specifically targeted for technology products, the ideas and concepts apply equally well to any product that is being developed with a general audience in mind.

You dont need to be creating a product to purchase this book.

This book was great and gives concrete examples and projections about the abandonment rate of users. This book could be helpful across a range of industries, and I find it of particular relevance for website design.

Too many webmasters/product designers forget about the end user, and in this book the authors layout specific fallacies ("myths") and prescribe a better way of approaching development.

It's a quick read, but invaluable!

This is a specific book for a specific market, but if you do create any type of consumer-touching tech product--from hardware or software to websites, blogs (like mine [...]) and any type of e-commerce--it's a real Godsend. I devoured this one in an evening and a morning, interrupted only by a night's sleep...where I dreamt about the multiple raminfications this could have on my mobile entertainment business. Breezily written in a style so real-world and friendly that it's accessible to a wide audience, but after getting to know Smethers and France in print, I would suspect that cutting a wide swath through the book-buying public would just serve to disprove the theory they build so convincingly. These guys are bright, concise and relevant, and demystify a process that even many of tech's big boys have trouble dealing with. Mark me down as a "Power User" of the Five Myths.

Usually, I simply rate items based on whether I like them or not, but Florine Asch's "My Italian Sketchbook" was worth the effort of a comment. I borrowed this book from the library and have now purchased this book because I was astounded by the beauty and volume of drawings in this Sketchbook.

The sketches are absolutely superb and nowhere close to being the rigid architecturally perfect "sketches" which I have seen in other books. Now I greatly respect the talent that it takes to do those other sketches but as a fellow watercolorist, I prefer the looser quality and nature of Ms. Asch's. Hopefully she has future holidays planned and thus future sketchbooks. As a side note, I would love to see the two sketchbooks relating to France (one in Paris and another in Alsace, I believe) of hers which seem to be very difficult to get here in the U.S. Highly recommend this book. It is beautiful and gives one a strong desire to travel!

Beautiful book. The artist makes even the most mundane object interesting. Inspiring for both the armchair traveler and aspiring artist. This is one fo the best in the "My X Sketchbook" series.

Florine Asch allows us to accompany her on a Grand Tour of Italy. She takes us along, at a leisurely pace, that does recall a time when travel was more about the journey than the destination. Dominique Fernandez, who writes the Introduction to "My Italian Sketchbook," tells us that "tourist" originally meant, "one who travels, not to arrive, but aimlessly, as the servant of beauty."

Ms. Asch's attachment to Italy is palpable in her glorious sketches, all executed in watercolor. Her elegant sketches, 100 of them, depict the known sites, and the scenes that are rarely seen by the hurried tourist. She captures a sunset view of Saint Peter's in Rome, the beauty of Lake Como, a Tuscan landscape, the medieval majesty of Sienna, the Renaissance glory of Firenze, the Duomo in Milan, a studio filled with Greek plaster figures, a horse and buggy by Rome's Trevi Fountain, the carnival in Venice, street scenes in Naples, a Sicilian piazza, and marketplace.

Florine Asch uniquely portrays the ordinary and extraordinary vistas, and views, of Italy. My tourist photographs never looked like this. A wonderful book to keep as a remembrance, or to give as a gift. Anyone who loves all things Italian, will love this book. I certainly do!

I have loved Italy since I was a child, something about the people, the food, the great scenery, old, historic monuments, there is just so much to learn about and appreciate, and this wonderful gem of a sketchbook does just that. Florine Asch takes us on a Grand Tour of Italy which is brought to life by her amazing, beautiful, detailed watercolors - MIlan & the Lakes [also noteworthy are depictions of daily life like in the bustling markets], Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome [the Piazza Navona], the Bay of Naples & Sicily. It is a riot of color, a lush depiction of Italian life, and the beautiful rendering of the Italian countryside & cities. A wonderful addition to the Sketchbooks series [of which I am a collector].

Purchased this book hoping to find kid friendly eats and places to see in Paris. Was a good starting point. My son actually loved a few of the adult things as well. Suggest you try a tour of the area with a one of the red double decker buses for the older kids.

This was the most helpful informative of all the books purchased or check out at the library. This small book and a good map got us through Paris each day. We never went any where without it, and it is small enough not to be bothersome.

This is a real gem of a book. We used it extensively in planning a trip to Paris with our 9 year old son, and it was amongst the first things packed. The information is useful, the size is wholly convenient. Nothing glossy, no photos, no pictures at all. I have borrowed all the glossy stuff from the library to read ahead of time, and anything useful have put as margin notes in THIS book, because this is the one I plan to have along. It tells you how to get to each place, opening hours, what to see and do there. Includes information on attractions especially for kids, as well as all the conventional tourist sites, museums etc, emphasising the aspects that are most likely to appeal to kids. It tells you which parks in Paris kids can run and play on grass - that alone has to be worth its weight in gold.

If you are a first-time visitor to Paris you may feel more comfortable having a good, conventional guide book along as well, but if you don't need the basics (such as how to buy a metro ticket etc) AND you have children along with you, I reckon you'll want to have this book above all others.

On a recent trip to Paris with my 5 1/2 yr old daughter, I must have referred to this book about a 100 times. Its really geared to what children like, is easy read, well-indexed, and has all the pertinents, like when one can rent sail boats at the Jardin des Tuileries.

First, I bought Fodor's France 2008 and then bought Fodor's Paris 2008 which gave me more detailed information I needed for my vacation. Stayed in Paris 8ni/9da and it was excellent.

The book was very detailed and gives you information by section. I didn't even buy a map when I got to Paris and just used to the book and it was great.

However, I think this book can be improved and I was going to put this on Fodor's website but I wanted to write it down on my reveiw first.

When you indicate names of subway stations, please write down which line it belongs to. For example, Metro Concorde (line 1) instead of just giving names of subway stations because Paris has many many subway lines. Also, indicate which exits to take when exiting subway stations.

And also, on your section maps please list all the street names. I know the space is small and you can't print all the names but that would greatly help us.

Other then these couple of things, the book is a must have when traveling in Paris.

I used this book on my first trip to Paris,and it was a valuable resource to pick how to spend our time. The maps were also very helpful in getting around the maze that is the Paris streets.

I bought both Paris and London 2008 books for my upcoming trip to Europe, and I enjoy both. The guides are easy to read, tell you how to make the most of your time at various locations, tell you how to get to where you want to go and provide a variety of eating and shopping locations for all budgets.

Fodor's Paris 2008 has everything the average vacationer would need to experience France from the inside out.
Here is a detailed index of what this book has to offer:

-Clothing size, weight, distance, liquid volume, and temperature conversions inside the front cover
-Detailed table of contents
-"About This Book" page which tells you how to read and use the information in the book
-General information about Paris such as cleanliness, diversity, and the general attitude of Parisians
-Paris Planner which includes information on what to wear, when to go, and transportation
-Detailed and easy to read maps of Paris and it's arrondissements
-Detailed lists and descriptions of Paris's top attractions
-Fun things to do in Paris with kids
-Great Itineraries
-Where to eat
-Where to stay
-A selection of gorgeous color photographs
-Word of Mouth from Fodor's online forums
-Detailed information about nightlife and the arts
-Shopping
-Free stuff to do in Paris
-Books and movies of Paris
-Vital vocabulary words
-Information and advice on traveling such as travelers insurance, booking, rental cars, guided tours, emergencies abroad, electricity, money, taxes
-A folded tear out map of Paris
-Map of Paris's Metro system on the inside of the back cover

I would recommend this book to anyone considering visiting Paris on vacation, anyone moving to Paris, or the average Joe who wants to learn more about the most romantic city in the world. It has everything you want to know about Paris.

Undoubtedly, Robert Forbes has written with "For Europe : ..." the most precise, objective, accurate (to that date) and exciting account about the french serving in the Waffen SS between 1943 and 1945 and notably in the 33rd Grenadier Division of the SS "Charlemagne".

Forbes details the different backgrounds of the frenchmen (from working class to aristocracy!) who opted for a military collaboration with the germans, their motives ('greater europe', anti-communism), their training (tough but too short), their military achievements (as good as it could have been) on the eastern front and finaly their end in the third's reich capital, Berlin...

The author separates the two main formations of the frenchmen serving in the Waffen SS. The french SS "Assault Brigade" and the "Charlemagne" division. If the first was made solely of volunteers for the ss and was well equiped and correctly trained, the second was a mix of different collaborating french formations (from the Heer L.V.F infantry regiment to the Organisation Todt labor units...).

While the "Assault Brigade" performed very well but suffered high losses during the red army great offensive of july 1944, the "Charlemagne", poorly equiped, without tank and aerial support, undertrained and without most of its specialists, had a variable combat record : If all units did their best to halt the red army formations, inflicting to the soviets heavy losses, some managed to maintain some cohesion while other rapidly disintagrated... For the frenchmen, it was a bloodbath...

Virtually distroyed in february-march 1945 in pomerania, the "Charlemagne" and its survivors were reorganised. Whose from the "Assault Brigade" and the LVF choosed to continue the fight. Most of them would be sent to their death by defending fanatically Hitler's Bunker... The others, mainly from the 'milice française' ranks opted to serve in contruction battalions. It has to be said that men from the milice didn't have frontline experience for most of them and consequently, they sustained the highest losses... That is why their morale was very low...

Forbes has done a good job with 'For Europe...'. It is well written and includes numerous veteran sources. It is not a propagandist book about whose who joined the waffen ss. It is just an honest try to EXPLAIN why so many frenchmen joined... Many mistakes from orther authors are corrected. The military accomplishments of the SS frenchmen are accurately described but not exagerated.

Finaly that book is probably the best testimony about these men who believed fighting for their country, "for europe" and against "the communist threat" by joining nazi germany.

This is one of those rare books that gives an insight into the Foreign Volunteers of the Waffen SS, in this case French members of the Charlemange Division.
Formed originally as a Sturmbrigade the unit grew into a formidable fighting force which fought its way through Galicia, Pomerania, Danzig and finally its destruction in the inferno of Berlin.
I was amazed at how Frenchmen for a variety of reasons would join such an organisation as the Waffen SS, but the various reasons why these men joined are varied and complex.
Many of these men were extremely proud to belong to the Waffen SS and had volunteered gladly, others as the fortunes of Germany wavered opted to join to escape the vengance of the French people who many had helped to suppress in such units as the Milice.
Its fighting spirit never wavered and even in the final battle for Berlin its soldiers fought to the bitter end in tank hunting units armed with panzerfaust where they were extremely effective.
The book is very long over 500 pages with a few maps of the battlegrounds and pictures of some of the volunteers. I found it to be a very easy read and appears to be very well researched with lots of footnotes to explain parts of the story.
The book has many many personal accounts of the men who fought in the unit and where possible lists the fate of the survivors, where some fought in Indo China (on both sides !) and others were not so lucky who were executed.
It also deals with a war crime which I did not know about, where 12 French SS Volunteers who had been captured by the free French Army forces were executed.
This is an impressive book well written and researched and I highly recommend this book to others

I picked up this book because I had long wondered about the people who joined the Nazi Army. I couldn't imagine why anyone from outside Germany would do that. This book answered those questions.

They joined for various reasons, but mostly because they were still kids - 17 years old was common. They looked at their life in France and were attracted to the colors. Some were admirers of Germany. Some were going with the winners. Some were anti-communist and wanted to fight them in Russia. In short all of the reasons that people of all types join the military. It becomes easier to understand as you hear the stories of the individuals.

After that, when the units had been formed, this is a story of what the French units did for the remainder of the war. In this area the book is extremely complete. It seems that every action, no matter how small is covered in great detail. Especially fascinating is the chapter on the post war years where it seems that the treatment of the returning soldiers was almost arbitrary in nature with some going to jail, some being set free, some joining the French army to fight in Indo-China.

All in all, a fascinating book, extremely detailed in its research and presentation.

This subject must have been a fixation of the author's for decades. Otherwise he never would have been able to produce this book. Every contact with th enemy is documented as well as keeping track of the division's ever changing order of battle and equipment. Every officer in the division must have been mentioned by the time the book ends. Details of recruitment and training are also included. If a squad knocked out a tank on 24 Feb 1945 then it's in the book. The author also gives alternate views of an action if first hand accounts differ. Of course any book that is this detailed does not flow like a novel, it can be heavy going at times. But the payoff it acquiring detailed knowledge of the French volunteers in the Waffen SS and even other French paramilitaries fighting on the Eastern Front. One minor quibble is the lack of maps. As with most military histories maps are key to understanding the combat narratives. This book as few maps and the ones it does have are poor. But if the topic of the foreigners who were willing to fight for Hitler interests you this book is a must.