One Woman's War: A Canadian Reporter with the Free French

by Gladys Arnold

This is a story not of military campaigns and grand strategy, but the joys and sorrows of life on a more intimate battlefield--the battlefield of the French resistance. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Gladys Arnold was sent to Paris by Canadian Press in October 1939, and was the only Canadian reporter to experience the invasion of France by the Germans in the spring of 1940. One Woman's War is Gladys Arnold's vivid, eyewitness account of the fall of France and the growth of the Free French resistance. She was one of the first journalists to interview General Charles de Gaulle, and she brings to life many of the memorable people, French and Canadian, who fought the underground war. One Woman's War is an account of some of the most important and harrowing events of the 20th century, told by a marvellously engaging and courageous woman.

226 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Margaret Virany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gladys Arnold was a friend of mine in the Media Club of Ottawa. If you would like to meet an elegant, intelligent, warm single woman who ventured abroad as a reporter for the Canadian Pres in world war II, fought for the Free French and was given a French Legion of Honor Award, then read this book. I gave it as a birthday present to my husband soon after she wrote it in 1998 and we both loved it. The original book cover design is my favorite of all time.

[T. Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am biased because of my particular interest in France in WW 2, this book is impressive because of the author's insight into what life was like in Paris, London and Ottawa during this war. Gladys Arnold was working for the Canadian Press in Paris when the Germans attacked France in 1940 and her account of how she & 2 friends joined the "Exodus" - the flood of refugees fleeing Paris in advance of the German occupation - is fascinating. She manages to escape to London where she joins the Free French movement, and then moves on to Ottawa where she helps set up a press office. She returns to France in late 1944 to report on what life has been like under the occupation, and her accounts of the hardships faced by all French citizens after their liberation are very striking. It is not the memoir of the courageous female journalist who seeks danger on the front lines, but a very well-written insight into the life experienced by someone who felt great sympathy for France during the war.