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D-Day Through French Eyes: Normandy 1944
A gripping account of what it was like to be in the midst of the Norman Invasion on D-Day and immediately afterward.
Silent parachutes dotting the night sky—that’s how one woman in Normandy in June 1944 learned that the D-Day invasion was underway. Though they yearned for liberation, the people of Normandy steeled themselves for further warfare, knowing that their homes, land, and fellow citizens would have to bear the brunt of the attack. In D-Day through French Eyes , Mary Louise Roberts resets our view of the usual stories of that momentous operation, taking readers across the Channel to view the invasion anew. Roberts builds her history from an impressive range of gripping first-person accounts from French citizens, reinvigorating a story we thought we knew. The result is a fresh perspective on the heroism, sacrifice, and achievement of D-Day.
Silent parachutes dotting the night sky—that’s how one woman in Normandy in June 1944 learned that the D-Day invasion was underway. Though they yearned for liberation, the people of Normandy steeled themselves for further warfare, knowing that their homes, land, and fellow citizens would have to bear the brunt of the attack. In D-Day through French Eyes , Mary Louise Roberts resets our view of the usual stories of that momentous operation, taking readers across the Channel to view the invasion anew. Roberts builds her history from an impressive range of gripping first-person accounts from French citizens, reinvigorating a story we thought we knew. The result is a fresh perspective on the heroism, sacrifice, and achievement of D-Day.
219 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2022
About the author
Mary Louise Roberts
13 books13 followersMary Louise Roberts is the WARF Distinguished Lucie Aubrac Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is also the Charles Boal Ewing Chair in Military History at the United States Military Academy at West Point for the 2020-21 academic year. Her most recent books are What Soldiers Do: Sex and the American GI in World War II France and D-Day through French Eyes: Normandy 1944, both published by the University of Chicago Press.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 17, 2018
Bayeux - Musée Mémorial 1944 Bataille de Normandie
Vierville-sur-Mer ; American Provisional Cemetery
457 bodies in all were buried here, before orders came to move the bodies to a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, at Coleville-sur-Mer.
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer at Omaha beach
The sculptor Anilore Banon created this symbolic sculpture "Les Braves"
Page 31 (my book)
We throw ourselves in each other’s arms; we embrace each other. Tears gather on our eyelashes; they run down my wife’s cheeks. With all our senses we take in this extraordinary scene. We have waited for it day and night for four years, all while listening to the radio – often disappointed, never desperate, and always confident. It’s D-day and H-hour. All our hopes are finally being realized.
Page 106
This impromptu welcome was a joyful, exuberant experience that lasted quite a long time... you don’t notice the passage of time during these sorts of moments. It’s hard to describe the immense joy we felt. After all this time, I still get chills thinking about it. At first we were in disbelief: we were liberated, do you realize that?...It’s difficult to express in words, even today.
Page 115
The scene struck me as odd: an almost square car with a built-in telephone – without a wire! A crowd of onlookers quickly gathered. We remained silent for a moment, almost dumbfounded, then all of a sudden it dawned on us what the presence of American soldiers actually meant. It was pandemonium!
This is very heart-rending story of the experiences of ordinary French civilians during D-Day (called debarquement in France) and its aftermath in 1944. It must not be forgotten that thousands of French people lost their lives and had their homes and villages destroyed.
The author provides us with several accounts from diaries and journals. We experience through this their happiness of the long awaited debarquement. There are entries on helping paratroopers who, it would seem, never landed in their assigned locations and many were injured during the fall. Some towns, like Caen, were severely bombed. Anyone within proximity to a railroad yard or station faced bombardment.
Page 78 (Caen)
After a look back at our family home of twenty years...I said a final goodbye. For I knew deep inside that I would never see my books, college notes, my freshly typed diploma, the beautiful print of the Louvre pinned to the wall in my little study corner; the crystal vase that Raymond gave me on Labour Day; all my letters of love and friendship – the treasures of my youth!
When she returned to her home a few weeks later, Jacqueline found it obliterated.
Most of the book is about the American landing at Omaha Beach. The French offered Calvados, the Americans tossed out chewing gum, chocolates, cigarettes (of questionable value I feel) – and their ubiquitous jeep was a constant source of admiration! After years of deprivation they found the amount of equipment and food staggering. Interestingly they found the boots worn by the GIs quiet compared to the loud noise that the German boots made which could be heard from some distance away.
I have been to Normandy and Omaha beach and found this book of great interest and importance in preserving the stories and viewpoints of those who lived during this remarkable time period.
Page 120
Some soldiers...were lying down on the sidewalk, using their helmets as pillows... I was very happy to offer them a big slice of farmhouse bread with a dab of butter. I knew they enjoyed it... Sometimes I think about this small group of soldiers stretched out on the sidewalk, how many lived to see their country again, and how many fell in the abundant fields of wild daisies that covered our countryside in the summer of 1944.
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer (Omaha Beach)
Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer ; Omaha Beach Museum
January 27, 2021
This book was hard to read. Based on ordinary people’s journals, it tells of DDay and how it affected the ordinary Norman citizens. It’s heartbreaking, encouraging, exciting and disappointing all at the same time. If anything, this book reminded me to be thankful I have been spared from such horrible experiences. It affirmed again in my mind, contrary to popular belief, that 2020 was not the worst year ever!
November 2, 2024
3.5 Stars
I wanted to read this before visiting Normandy this summer but was too busy preparing for the trip. In retrospect, I think it was better to read it post-vacation. After everything I learned while visiting, I could visualize the different towns mentioned in the book, from La Havre to the coast of the landing beaches to Bayeux. Roberts's book used letters and journal entries from French citizens to tell the story of D-Day events from their perspective. While I enjoyed the alternate viewpoints, I wasn't the biggest fan of the execution. It didn't feel naturally cohesive since I was getting small snapshots. I would have preferred a narrative nonfiction style of writing instead. I still found it all interesting. As well as sad, encouraging, and frustrating. I appreciated that the author wasn't biased and wrote about the ugly side of American GI behavior while also sharing inspiring stories.
March 23, 2021
The Very Early Hours of the Sixth of June
D-Day Through French Eyes is an excellant work that does exactly what the title indicates. Mary Louise Roberts places the reader in the midst of the French of Normandie and their relationships with the American GI during the invasion. She is able to capture the innocence and excitement of both the French and the GI. Best of all she does it in such a way that the reader is able to participate in those same moments as well. Much of the book is made up of excerpts from diaries and memoirs put down by the French who were there. And who wrote with great eloquence. If you have spent time in France, if you have come to know a few French, you will recognize their joy, generosity and curiosity. It is a wonderful book. It is a simple and uncomplicated creation of a momentous day in the history of the world as experienced by some of those who were there. The simple and uncomplicated. Bravo, Mary Louise!
D-Day Through French Eyes is an excellant work that does exactly what the title indicates. Mary Louise Roberts places the reader in the midst of the French of Normandie and their relationships with the American GI during the invasion. She is able to capture the innocence and excitement of both the French and the GI. Best of all she does it in such a way that the reader is able to participate in those same moments as well. Much of the book is made up of excerpts from diaries and memoirs put down by the French who were there. And who wrote with great eloquence. If you have spent time in France, if you have come to know a few French, you will recognize their joy, generosity and curiosity. It is a wonderful book. It is a simple and uncomplicated creation of a momentous day in the history of the world as experienced by some of those who were there. The simple and uncomplicated. Bravo, Mary Louise!
August 17, 2022
an unusual perspective
So interesting to hear from the memoirs of those who experienced the process of the Allied invasion at Normandy. After being occupied for 4 years by Nazi Germany, the France had such visions of rescue by the Allies, not anticipating what it would require of them. Never expecting to see the horrors of war in their own homes, gardens, and villages. Then, the aftermath of young, damaged soldiers coming back through their towns with what we now understand to be PTSD, resulting in terrible behavior. How disappointing. War is a terrible way to solve any problem and these memories remind us once again.
So interesting to hear from the memoirs of those who experienced the process of the Allied invasion at Normandy. After being occupied for 4 years by Nazi Germany, the France had such visions of rescue by the Allies, not anticipating what it would require of them. Never expecting to see the horrors of war in their own homes, gardens, and villages. Then, the aftermath of young, damaged soldiers coming back through their towns with what we now understand to be PTSD, resulting in terrible behavior. How disappointing. War is a terrible way to solve any problem and these memories remind us once again.
July 6, 2025
Very interesting book about what French civilians experienced during the Normandy invasion on dday. While we always hear about the bravery of the Allied soldiers and the fierce fighting, we never hear about the thousands of French that died and the horror they experienced a long with the joy of liberation. As I read about the devastation, I felt pride to remember all that the United States did with the Marshall Plan to help Europe rebuilt after the war. It also made me think of the people of Ukraine and Gaza living through the same nightmare today.
July 24, 2019
Informative and insightful. I read this for a study abroad class in France and it made the war much more personal. The fear the French must have felt and the bravery many of them exhibited is truly praiseworthy. This is a quick and easy read and would recommend for research projects as well as pleasure-reading.
November 30, 2022
Interesting. It explores something I never thought about
This was an interesting topic. I suppose, in my mind, I knew X-Ray had to suck for the civilians. Duh!!
This book describes exactly how sucky it was.
With background information interspersed with personal stories, I think the book did an excellent job of showing what went on.
Good job!!
This was an interesting topic. I suppose, in my mind, I knew X-Ray had to suck for the civilians. Duh!!
This book describes exactly how sucky it was.
With background information interspersed with personal stories, I think the book did an excellent job of showing what went on.
Good job!!
February 3, 2023
e-book - In preparation for an upcoming trip to Normandy, I thought this would be an interesting perspective - and it didn't disappoint! One thinks of the joy of liberation on June 6, 1944 but there was also much loss (human & property) and destruction to achieve that. This puts that into the equation with perspective of the locals, and their diaries and memoirs.
July 10, 2023
Pretty good…
Well arranged accounts from Norman writers’ firsthand accounts of the landings and days/weeks that followed. As one may expect, there’s a fair amount of repetition in the entries, but overall an excellent sense is given of what these inhabitants must have gone through and how they felt about their liberators.
Well arranged accounts from Norman writers’ firsthand accounts of the landings and days/weeks that followed. As one may expect, there’s a fair amount of repetition in the entries, but overall an excellent sense is given of what these inhabitants must have gone through and how they felt about their liberators.
April 14, 2022
Insightful, heartwarming and sad
The Normans were liberated, but at a terrible cost to the armies of the United States, Britain, and Canada and to the Normans themselves. The experiences encountered are now being suffered by Ukrainians but without the joy of liberation.
The Normans were liberated, but at a terrible cost to the armies of the United States, Britain, and Canada and to the Normans themselves. The experiences encountered are now being suffered by Ukrainians but without the joy of liberation.
May 11, 2022
With what is happening currently in the Ukraine this was a very thought provoking book. Good intentions are not always paved with gold. Who said "The best laid plans of mice and men aft gae astray". I am still pondering my final thoughts on this book.
June 15, 2022
Needs editing
How can an educated academic not know the difference between "site" and "sight?" Those kinds of errors (and there are several) detract from whatever confidence there was in the accuracy of the narrative.
How can an educated academic not know the difference between "site" and "sight?" Those kinds of errors (and there are several) detract from whatever confidence there was in the accuracy of the narrative.
September 9, 2022
Awe Inspiring
This is a truly incredible book. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to understand a totally different view of Normandy. It is a story that needs to be told. War is hell. But it also brings out the best in those who choose to be brothers.
This is a truly incredible book. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to understand a totally different view of Normandy. It is a story that needs to be told. War is hell. But it also brings out the best in those who choose to be brothers.
July 16, 2025
It really is moving and it gives a first hand account of how the people of Normandy saw the allied troops landing in their fields. They used diary entries and first hand accounts of the interaction with the troops and the dangers they faced. A good read.
March 9, 2021
Interesting view of D day.
September 15, 2021
A must read
An exceptional compilation of first hand accounts of the effects of the liberation of France, both heart-warming and heart-breaking in unexpected ways.
An exceptional compilation of first hand accounts of the effects of the liberation of France, both heart-warming and heart-breaking in unexpected ways.
May 16, 2023
Based on excerpts from diaries, journals, etc. of French civilians; consists almost exclusively of long passages without any real context; a few interesting tidbits but reads more like a poorly constructed cut-and-paste Master’s thesis; cries out for a good editor
April 17, 2024
Fairly repetitive but very interesting perspectives.
August 29, 2025
Need a break from war books
March 23, 2026
A well constructed book. The details are man and stories keep your attention well. Where other military history books can be dry and full of facts and stats, this one is mostly eye-witness accounts and personal anecdotes.
July 13, 2014
This book is great if you already have an understanding of the Normandy landings. Almost the whole book is firsthand accounts from French people who experienced the invasion, which is a nice departure from the usual. It focuses almost entirely on the French experience with Americans, and it could have been interesting to see the interactions with the British and Canadians, or even free French forces, but one book can only do so much.
There were several translations that were taken a bit too literally, and it was clear that some of the primary sources didn't know what they were talking about when it came to a few details (example: a Norman refers to an American's "big parabellum," which just means "for war" and most likely refers to a German pistol), but those details are easily overlooked. My guess is the edits were rushed to get the book done by the 70th anniversary.
All in all, this book was a unique look at the conflict that isn't normally shown in books about the landings in English.
There were several translations that were taken a bit too literally, and it was clear that some of the primary sources didn't know what they were talking about when it came to a few details (example: a Norman refers to an American's "big parabellum," which just means "for war" and most likely refers to a German pistol), but those details are easily overlooked. My guess is the edits were rushed to get the book done by the 70th anniversary.
All in all, this book was a unique look at the conflict that isn't normally shown in books about the landings in English.
December 1, 2015
I picked up this book because my family is from Normandy, and I spent many summers at my French grandparents' country home that was situated two blocks from Juno Beach, where the Canadians landed. It was amazing to hear these first hand accounts from the people who lived in Normandy in German-occupied France. Some of these moments were so beautiful, so dramatic, it seemed to come out of the movies -- but they were real. It was also a sober reminder that along with soldiers and Jews and those killed by the Nazis in camps, many civilians died as well, even in the moments right before and after their liberation. I have not read many academic press nonfiction books, and this one was fast-paced and easy to digest. Very much recommend this book, particularly if you have an interest in WWII, D-Day, France or Normandy, like me.
October 8, 2014
Wonderful book!
This book is a great revelation for a anyone not familiar with what the Normans had to experience with the D-Day invasion of France in 1944. I have read many books telling of what difficulties the GIs had those days, and have visited the beaches and area once, but never had given much thought about the French people themselves until reading this. Many many thanks to the author and to our great University of Wisconsin (I'm a Badger!) for sponsoring it.
This book is a great revelation for a anyone not familiar with what the Normans had to experience with the D-Day invasion of France in 1944. I have read many books telling of what difficulties the GIs had those days, and have visited the beaches and area once, but never had given much thought about the French people themselves until reading this. Many many thanks to the author and to our great University of Wisconsin (I'm a Badger!) for sponsoring it.
September 3, 2014
I always enjoy the personal war stories. The author did a fine job. However, as always with this type of book, a finite number of experiences doesn't necessarily give an accurate portrayal of the average.
June 19, 2015
A new perspective on a familiar topic that humanizes an immense military mobilization and its impact on the people it liberated.
June 25, 2017
First hand account, by French citizens, of the Allied invasion of Normandy. Perfect for students of history or anyone who has an interest in the D-Day Invasion. This book is a hidden jewel. I totally missed it during the 70th Anniversary D-Day Commemorations. It's sometimes difficult to read due to the tragic effects of the Allied bombings on the Norman population. And the suffering & sacrifice of the Allied soldier was overwhelming. It really made me see how the French people must have felt to have their homeland invaded & liberated, all at the same time. One of the best books I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews