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WWII FRANCE: A Writer's Guide
If your novel is set in WWII France, this book will help you avoid mistakes, perhaps small ones like your Frenchman breakfasting on bacon and eggs or more serious like confusing the various branches of the occupying powers, mistakes guaranteed to knock the shine off your bestseller.I hope that my bringing together in one handy volume details of life in France during WWII, you, as an author, will have an authoritative reference to help in your research.
440 pages, Paperback
Published January 8, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 13, 2024
WWII FRANCE, A Writer's Guide is an exceptional resource for writers seeking to set their narratives in France during the tumultuous years of World War II. The author has meticulously compiled a treasure trove of information, offering a comprehensive view of French life in this era. The data, meticulously arranged alphabetically, covers various aspects of daily living, from cultural practices to climatic details.
One of the book's standout features is its dedication to authenticity. It offers writers valuable tools such as detailed lists, a compilation of common French names, and a month-by-month weather guide, ensuring historical accuracy in their work. Particularly enlightening are the corrections of common misconceptions frequently portrayed in novels and films about this period. The book sheds light on intriguing cultural nuances, such as the rarity of tea consumption among the French, a beverage predominantly reserved for the affluent and considered ostentatious by the majority. While the book primarily caters to a specialized audience—authors writing in English about wartime France—it transcends this niche. It's a vital reference for creators in various mediums, from novels to films and TV dramas, particularly for those in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. The differences between French and Anglo-American cultures are pronounced, making a detailed guide like this indispensable for crafting authentic narratives.
Elegantly written and engaging, WWII FRANCE, A Writer's Guide is far from a dry historical account. It's a fascinating exploration of a critical era, filled with insights that will captivate writers and enthusiasts alike. The book is highly recommended for aspiring authors and anyone interested in World War II or French history. The continuing fascination with stories set in wartime France suggests that this book will remain a valuable resource for many years to come.
One of the book's standout features is its dedication to authenticity. It offers writers valuable tools such as detailed lists, a compilation of common French names, and a month-by-month weather guide, ensuring historical accuracy in their work. Particularly enlightening are the corrections of common misconceptions frequently portrayed in novels and films about this period. The book sheds light on intriguing cultural nuances, such as the rarity of tea consumption among the French, a beverage predominantly reserved for the affluent and considered ostentatious by the majority. While the book primarily caters to a specialized audience—authors writing in English about wartime France—it transcends this niche. It's a vital reference for creators in various mediums, from novels to films and TV dramas, particularly for those in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. The differences between French and Anglo-American cultures are pronounced, making a detailed guide like this indispensable for crafting authentic narratives.
Elegantly written and engaging, WWII FRANCE, A Writer's Guide is far from a dry historical account. It's a fascinating exploration of a critical era, filled with insights that will captivate writers and enthusiasts alike. The book is highly recommended for aspiring authors and anyone interested in World War II or French history. The continuing fascination with stories set in wartime France suggests that this book will remain a valuable resource for many years to come.
May 19, 2024
Brilliant. Perhaps the best WW2 reference book I have read. Non-writers will love it too.
As an author of WW2 historical fiction, I spend a lot of time with my nose in research books. When it comes to the topic of WW2 France, this is by far the best resource I have ever owned.
It is packed with detail after detail about what France was like during WW2. It has information such as what it was like to heat a home in the winter, what the clothes were like, how people wore their hair and why. It details information about the French resistance, and how French companies interacted with their German occupiers. I found the many snippets about medicine and healthcare during the war to be intriguing. It even has a section in the back that gives a general description of the weather in France during each individual month of the war.
Finally, I have shared this book with non-writers, people who simply love history. They too have found it difficult to put down. If you want a true understanding of what it was like to be in France during WW2, you will LOVE this book. I highly recommend it.
As an author of WW2 historical fiction, I spend a lot of time with my nose in research books. When it comes to the topic of WW2 France, this is by far the best resource I have ever owned.
It is packed with detail after detail about what France was like during WW2. It has information such as what it was like to heat a home in the winter, what the clothes were like, how people wore their hair and why. It details information about the French resistance, and how French companies interacted with their German occupiers. I found the many snippets about medicine and healthcare during the war to be intriguing. It even has a section in the back that gives a general description of the weather in France during each individual month of the war.
Finally, I have shared this book with non-writers, people who simply love history. They too have found it difficult to put down. If you want a true understanding of what it was like to be in France during WW2, you will LOVE this book. I highly recommend it.
June 12, 2024
A must have for any writer wanting to write a story set in World War Two France. This guide has everything that you could possibly need, from etiquette to historical timelines to vocabulary. Any question you may have about living in Occupied France is answered by Ms. Montcombroux's guide. A huge thank you to her for sharing her knowledge with the rest of us!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews