Marne: The Battle That Saved Paris and Changed the Course of the First World War

by Georges Blond

One of the decisive battles of the 20th century began on August 29, 1914 with the cry that echoed throughout France: "The Prussians are coming!” It ended on September 10th, that same year. Earlier, more than a million German troops — five massive armies — poured into Belgium and France. The French army began the biggest retreat in its history, and Germany seemed about to triumph.

But the German right wing, instead of wheeling to the east of Paris, as the famous Schlieffen Plan required, crossed to the west of Paris, exposing its flanks. The counterattack was led from Paris, using the city’s taxis in a famous dash to take soldiers to the front. The German plan was thwarted, and the Kaiser’s army was forced to retreat. It was an astonishing and costly victory: over 300,000 French soldiers died.

As stirring as a novel, The Marne is a classic of military history.

Genres: Military History

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1962

About the author

Georges Blond was a French writer. A prolific writer of mostly history but also other topics including fiction, Blond was also involved in far right political activity.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omniscient narrator is an interesting way to share the story. The narration gives an immediacy to the story that provides enough joules to keep the reader juiced an engaged as the whole of the German offensive pounds forward until repelled by the French, who had given ground until the Germans made a tactical error. The sudden disparate determined French attack proves enough to save the French and keep Germany from laying claim to Europe. The first thrust and counter thrust of four long years of repetitious actions.
The officers and soldiers in both armies are well represented in the narrative. The British too are there.
The best thing to say is it is a great read. Highly recommend this book.

[Jimbethhoward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Either translated poorly, or generally not well written.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, if sometimes confusing history of the battle that saved Paris in 1914. Blond's narrative is a difficult to follow at times, and assumes the reader has a previous knowledge of the battle (as well as the earlier fighting), so this book might not be a good place for a beginning WW1 reader to start. However it feels like a spiritual ""sequel"" to Barbara Tuchman's excellent ""Guns of August,"" and has many good first-hand accounts of the battle. All told, a good read.

[PG Pariseau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated in style, anecdotal in content, bereft of good maps, this is still worth reading for anyone interested in the Battle of the Marne, or the experience of fighting in the West in 1914. There's something to be said for an author who recalls from his childhood the reactions of adults to the events he chronicles. And Blond was a stylish writer. Very moving in places.