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Escape from Paris: A True Story of Love and Resistance in Wartime France
A thrilling wartime adventure story of downed American aviators rescued by French resistance fighters, taken to Nazi-occupied Paris, and hidden in the City of Lights under the very noses of the Gestapo
Escape from Paris is the true story of a small group of U.S. aviators whose four B-17 Flying Fortresses were shot down over German-occupied France on a single, fateful day: July 14, 1943, Bastille Day. They were rescued by brave French civilians and taken to Paris for eventual escape out of France. In the French capital, where German troops walked on every street and Gestapo agents hid around every corner, the flyers met a brave Parisian resistance family living and working in the Hôtel des Invalides, a complex of buildings and military memorials, where Nazi officials had set up offices. Hidden in the complex the Americans, along with dozens of other downed Allied pilots and resistance operatives, hatched daring escape plots. The danger of discovery by the Nazis grew every day--as did an unlikely romance.
Based on official American, French, and German documents, histories, personal memoirs, and the author's interviews with several of the story's key participants, Escape from Paris crosses the traditional lines of World War II history with tense drama of air combat over Europe, the intrigue of occupied Paris, and courageous American and Allied pilots and French resistance fighters pitted against Nazi thugs. All of this set in one of the world's most beautiful and captivating cities.
Escape from Paris is the true story of a small group of U.S. aviators whose four B-17 Flying Fortresses were shot down over German-occupied France on a single, fateful day: July 14, 1943, Bastille Day. They were rescued by brave French civilians and taken to Paris for eventual escape out of France. In the French capital, where German troops walked on every street and Gestapo agents hid around every corner, the flyers met a brave Parisian resistance family living and working in the Hôtel des Invalides, a complex of buildings and military memorials, where Nazi officials had set up offices. Hidden in the complex the Americans, along with dozens of other downed Allied pilots and resistance operatives, hatched daring escape plots. The danger of discovery by the Nazis grew every day--as did an unlikely romance.
Based on official American, French, and German documents, histories, personal memoirs, and the author's interviews with several of the story's key participants, Escape from Paris crosses the traditional lines of World War II history with tense drama of air combat over Europe, the intrigue of occupied Paris, and courageous American and Allied pilots and French resistance fighters pitted against Nazi thugs. All of this set in one of the world's most beautiful and captivating cities.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 8, 2019
73 people are currently reading
1,952 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Harding
11 books24 followersLibrarian Note:
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There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 8, 2019
A solid 3 star book. There are definitely some 5 star sections in here (Joe parachuting into France and evading capture, and the last chapter detailing the horrific conditions in the concentration camps), but there are also a fair amount of 1-2 star sections detailing flight patterns/formations/aircraft specs that I frankly could not follow or retain at all. The first 30% of the book I almost gave up because it’s so technical I didn’t understand where it was going or what I needed to remember.
However, after the first major skirmish I stayed up well into the night wanting to see how Joe avoided the Germans and made it to safety. I wanted to know which of his comrades made it, what they did, who made mistakes. This was absolutely riveting. Their actions aside, I can’t even imagine having the mental fortitude to hide my stuff and run for it—all the while knowing you could be running toward danger. I can barely make it through life using Google Maps. The myriad examples of support from the French resistance was absolutely stunning! It seemed like everyone was in on it, even the kids, and it’s incredible that so many people were able to operate such a successful network.
I wasn’t expecting much out of the romance between Yvette and Joe, and honestly the pitch for this being a love story made me question reading it in the first place… but after seeing how their relationship unfolded, I think it was really a ploy to try to get more female readers. While their relationship was very sweet, it didn’t at all go where I thought it was going to go and I was left with a big “that’s IT?” at the end. I’m sure that this was the case for many wartime romances, but the constant lead up in the book caused me to believe it was going to go a different direction.
Truly, Joe and Yvette each have an incredible life story, and it’s even more shocking to see them converge. I’m ultimately glad that I read this and got to learn more about them, but I wish the book had been marketed (and edited) a bit differently.
Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me a free copy of this book.
See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
However, after the first major skirmish I stayed up well into the night wanting to see how Joe avoided the Germans and made it to safety. I wanted to know which of his comrades made it, what they did, who made mistakes. This was absolutely riveting. Their actions aside, I can’t even imagine having the mental fortitude to hide my stuff and run for it—all the while knowing you could be running toward danger. I can barely make it through life using Google Maps. The myriad examples of support from the French resistance was absolutely stunning! It seemed like everyone was in on it, even the kids, and it’s incredible that so many people were able to operate such a successful network.
I wasn’t expecting much out of the romance between Yvette and Joe, and honestly the pitch for this being a love story made me question reading it in the first place… but after seeing how their relationship unfolded, I think it was really a ploy to try to get more female readers. While their relationship was very sweet, it didn’t at all go where I thought it was going to go and I was left with a big “that’s IT?” at the end. I’m sure that this was the case for many wartime romances, but the constant lead up in the book caused me to believe it was going to go a different direction.
Truly, Joe and Yvette each have an incredible life story, and it’s even more shocking to see them converge. I’m ultimately glad that I read this and got to learn more about them, but I wish the book had been marketed (and edited) a bit differently.
Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me a free copy of this book.
See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
May 26, 2020
A fast paced and thoroughly researched book that proves to be another home run for Harding.
I italicized "thoroughly" because (as in some of his other works) Mr. Harding seems obligated to overload the book with every scrap of info he unearthed rather than separate the eventful from the mundane. . . . and this is what keeps me from adding that 5th star.
Definitely a book to be added to your "Want To Read" page.
I italicized "thoroughly" because (as in some of his other works) Mr. Harding seems obligated to overload the book with every scrap of info he unearthed rather than separate the eventful from the mundane. . . . and this is what keeps me from adding that 5th star.
Definitely a book to be added to your "Want To Read" page.
October 3, 2019
“Escape from Paris” is an excellent true story of WWII which I would highly recommend to all fans of the genre. It’s non-fiction and is full of details, yet it doesn’t read like a dry historical account but more like a work of fiction at times and really places you in the middle of the action and makes you root for the “characters.” It’s a story of personal bravery of American and British pilots and the people of the French Resistance, but it mostly revolves around four particular ones. Joe Cornwall, a B-17 “Flying Fortress” gunner, who narrowly escapes death and capture after his “Fortress” is downed by the enemy fire over occupied Paris, and the Morin family - George, his wife Denise, and their daughter Yvette - who put their own lives at risk to help guide downed pilots like Joe to safety.
The research for this work must have taken a lot of time and effort and it shows in the tiniest of details. The names and dates of the missions flown; the aerial battles and the enemy’s techniques; the layout of the Hôtel des Invalides and its history; the Resistance cells functioning around Greater Paris area at that time and details of their operations and even the names of the agents - all these factual details will be a true feast for any history buff. And of course, the human factor which the author presents with such emotion is extremely important to mention. It turned an already-compelling WWII story into a truly amazing and riveting read. By the way, the author actually met with Yvette, so her part was narrated to him personally, and what can be better for any history lover than stories told by the people who lived to tell them, right? A perfect choice for everyone who’s interested in the history of the French Resistance.
The research for this work must have taken a lot of time and effort and it shows in the tiniest of details. The names and dates of the missions flown; the aerial battles and the enemy’s techniques; the layout of the Hôtel des Invalides and its history; the Resistance cells functioning around Greater Paris area at that time and details of their operations and even the names of the agents - all these factual details will be a true feast for any history buff. And of course, the human factor which the author presents with such emotion is extremely important to mention. It turned an already-compelling WWII story into a truly amazing and riveting read. By the way, the author actually met with Yvette, so her part was narrated to him personally, and what can be better for any history lover than stories told by the people who lived to tell them, right? A perfect choice for everyone who’s interested in the history of the French Resistance.
August 31, 2019
A straightforward history of a B-17 bomber crew, notably the waist gunner. The aircraft is downed over France on Bastille Day, 1943, the gunner and other USAAF aircrew wind up taken by the Resistance to a safe house: the Hôtel des Invalides, no less, a military complex with Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb and a German army garrison, as well as a family who lives there and shelters the airmen. It's a lively history of the crew's training, perils in combat over Nazi-occupied Europe, and then their escape. It's also an account of what became of those who helped them, some of whom ended up in the concentration camps. In all, a well-told nonfiction story, told in an almost novel-like form.
July 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this well-researched account of the intricate resistance efforts that went into rescuing downed airmen during WWII and smuggling them back to England. After reading the Nightingale, I started reading nonfiction books such as Peter Eisner’s The Freedom Line and Seth Meyerowitz’s The Lost Airman, that told me more about the resistance’s efforts at getting downed Allied airmen back into the war.
This was an interesting addition to the others that delve into this topic. The Invalides provided a fascinating aspect to the story. I do, however, feel that the love story aspect of this book was overplayed. It leads up to an abrupt resolution that, to me, felt extremely anti-climactic after how much that storyline was hyped. If you’re looking for a fascinating historical account of the extreme sacrificial efforts made to shelter and aid Allied airmen during the war, this book is definitely for you and you will not be disappointed. If you’re looking for a strong wartime love story with a thorough resolution, this one may not be for you.
Thank you so much to Hachette and Netgalley for my free advanced digital copy.
This was an interesting addition to the others that delve into this topic. The Invalides provided a fascinating aspect to the story. I do, however, feel that the love story aspect of this book was overplayed. It leads up to an abrupt resolution that, to me, felt extremely anti-climactic after how much that storyline was hyped. If you’re looking for a fascinating historical account of the extreme sacrificial efforts made to shelter and aid Allied airmen during the war, this book is definitely for you and you will not be disappointed. If you’re looking for a strong wartime love story with a thorough resolution, this one may not be for you.
Thank you so much to Hachette and Netgalley for my free advanced digital copy.
October 29, 2019
An excellent, very well researched, and engaging book. If you are into WWII aviation, this book will capture your attention. A thrilling read. Highly recommend.
October 8, 2019
Happy pub day to this lovely book, Escape from Paris by Stephen Harding!
Thanks to @hbgcanada for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book releases today!
This book is the true story of a group of U.S aviators who owe four B-17 Flying Fortresses were shot down over German-occupied France, on a single, fateful day: July 14, 1943- Bastille Day. They were reduced by French Civilians and taken to Paris where they eventually were escorted back to England undercover.
The sorry mostly follows Joe Cornwall on his journey as an American aviator, who survived the crashing of his Fortress plane on BastilleDay. He eventually ended up at Invalides - a place, where hidden amongst the Americans, a Parisan resistant family- The Morkns aided Americans back to England. While staying with the Morins, Joe and their daughter, Yvette fall in love. But then Joe has to leave as he is instructed to go back to England. Will Joe and Yvette ever see each other again if the war ever ends?
While I don’t read much non-fiction books, I did quite enjoy this one, and learning about training how to be an aviation pilot, all about the planes and the haired behind them. I also enjoyed the detail about the struggle of surviving and the difficulties being an American and in German -occupied land. I’m also a sucker for s good love story, so my favourite parts involved Joe and Yvette and their love for each other.
Thanks to @hbgcanada for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book releases today!
This book is the true story of a group of U.S aviators who owe four B-17 Flying Fortresses were shot down over German-occupied France, on a single, fateful day: July 14, 1943- Bastille Day. They were reduced by French Civilians and taken to Paris where they eventually were escorted back to England undercover.
The sorry mostly follows Joe Cornwall on his journey as an American aviator, who survived the crashing of his Fortress plane on BastilleDay. He eventually ended up at Invalides - a place, where hidden amongst the Americans, a Parisan resistant family- The Morkns aided Americans back to England. While staying with the Morins, Joe and their daughter, Yvette fall in love. But then Joe has to leave as he is instructed to go back to England. Will Joe and Yvette ever see each other again if the war ever ends?
While I don’t read much non-fiction books, I did quite enjoy this one, and learning about training how to be an aviation pilot, all about the planes and the haired behind them. I also enjoyed the detail about the struggle of surviving and the difficulties being an American and in German -occupied land. I’m also a sucker for s good love story, so my favourite parts involved Joe and Yvette and their love for each other.
December 11, 2022
Audible Audiobook.
Plot. WWII French Resistance rescuers of US B-17 flyers, and others, throughout France..
Liked. The story is one of the incredible patriotism and courage of the every-man French citizen. This is an era of history everyone should know.
Presentation is problematic. Escape from Paris is an info-dump of facts, dates, details that are meticulously revealed throughout. The book is more a documentary, rather than a "story" - narration is as if Maxwell Hamilton was reading a textbook - the visceral horror of these events isn't well conveyed - but chilling events are there, delivered in monotone.
Written by Stephen Harding, narrated by Maxwell Hamilton, just under 9 hours of listening in unabridged format.
Recommended with the codicils above. It is a documentation of the greatest generation at their greatest in France.
Plot. WWII French Resistance rescuers of US B-17 flyers, and others, throughout France..
Liked. The story is one of the incredible patriotism and courage of the every-man French citizen. This is an era of history everyone should know.
Presentation is problematic. Escape from Paris is an info-dump of facts, dates, details that are meticulously revealed throughout. The book is more a documentary, rather than a "story" - narration is as if Maxwell Hamilton was reading a textbook - the visceral horror of these events isn't well conveyed - but chilling events are there, delivered in monotone.
Written by Stephen Harding, narrated by Maxwell Hamilton, just under 9 hours of listening in unabridged format.
Recommended with the codicils above. It is a documentation of the greatest generation at their greatest in France.
August 15, 2024
Great accounting of brave flyers during WW2 and their quest to get home. Interesting romance too. Was surprised by ending. Good read.
August 28, 2019
This is called in the blurb an "adventure story," but there isn't much story. An Air Force gunner survives his plane being shot down and is brought by the underground to hide with a family who are caretakers at Les Invalides,(where Napoleon's tomb is located. He falls in love with the daughter, and wants to marry her, but eventually, having constantly sworn forever love, they realize it is not to be, and he marries his old girlfriend back in the States. She and her mother end up captured by the Gestapo, survive, return to Paris, and eventually the author meets her as an old woman and decides there's a book in it. This story is drowned in endless meanderings. We don't to the "love story," such as it is, till near the middle of the book. Instead we get far too much background information and we we get far too much militaria, which is clearly what the author is really interested in. In fact, you could take out the "love story" and you'd still have a book. Possibly a much better book.
January 9, 2020
I found it difficult to put down once I started reading. Fast passed, well-researched, and interesting discussion about what allied forces, evaders, and the resistance went through to ensure return from occupied territory to England coupled with what the resistance faced in concentration camps following arrest. Harding's writing style is crisp and engaging and the detailed notes help to expand the information within the text.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 16, 2019
Escape from Paris is advertised as the story of several B-17 crews shot down over France about a year before D-Day. Many of the men were rescued by French civilians and sent on an escape route out of the country. This took the men to the Hôtel des Invalides, a complex in Paris that formerly served as French military offices, a hospital, and memorials and now serving as a Nazi office space. They were helped by the Morin family, who lived and worked in the complex for decades. The Morins, Georges, Denise, and their daughter Yvette, used their keys and vast knowledge of the complex to keep the men hidden right under the German noses.
Much of this story focused on Joe Cornwall, a waist gunner of one of the B-17s. His background and training are intermixed within the beginning of the book’s focus on training B-17 crews and Morin family background. Joe had multiple aborted “home runs” back to his base in England, but each time something went wrong and he returned to the Morin’s home. During that time, he had a growing attachment with Yvette.
While this story is sure to intrigue those with little knowledge of World War II, those with more expansive knowledge will be disappointed. The book spends a great deal of time setting up the story by telling how the Morins came to the Invalides, the early days of the war in Paris, and the B-17 crew’s training and early missions. This left little time for the advertised story of the escape to play out and what did in a hundred or so pages felt rushed and incomplete. I felt like I skimmed more than I read since I had that core knowledge. Still this “pop history” title will appeal to some, especially since it is grounded in interviews with several profiled and numerous historical documents. I had thought this would have been a book I would have enjoyed, but the focus on the events leading up to the advertised story derailed the focus of the book for me.
For those wanting more depth on this topic, try Peter Eisner’s The Freedom Line: The Brave Men and Women Who Rescued Allied Airmen from the Nazis During World War II , Ronald C. Rosbottom’s When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under German Occupation, 1940-1944 , and Gerlad Astor’s The Mighty Eighth: The Air War in Europe as Told by the Men Who Fought It . Taken together these much longer books provided more information on the escape lines, living in occupied Paris, and how the bomber crews worked.
This review is based on a copy provided by NetGalley.
Much of this story focused on Joe Cornwall, a waist gunner of one of the B-17s. His background and training are intermixed within the beginning of the book’s focus on training B-17 crews and Morin family background. Joe had multiple aborted “home runs” back to his base in England, but each time something went wrong and he returned to the Morin’s home. During that time, he had a growing attachment with Yvette.
While this story is sure to intrigue those with little knowledge of World War II, those with more expansive knowledge will be disappointed. The book spends a great deal of time setting up the story by telling how the Morins came to the Invalides, the early days of the war in Paris, and the B-17 crew’s training and early missions. This left little time for the advertised story of the escape to play out and what did in a hundred or so pages felt rushed and incomplete. I felt like I skimmed more than I read since I had that core knowledge. Still this “pop history” title will appeal to some, especially since it is grounded in interviews with several profiled and numerous historical documents. I had thought this would have been a book I would have enjoyed, but the focus on the events leading up to the advertised story derailed the focus of the book for me.
For those wanting more depth on this topic, try Peter Eisner’s The Freedom Line: The Brave Men and Women Who Rescued Allied Airmen from the Nazis During World War II , Ronald C. Rosbottom’s When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under German Occupation, 1940-1944 , and Gerlad Astor’s The Mighty Eighth: The Air War in Europe as Told by the Men Who Fought It . Taken together these much longer books provided more information on the escape lines, living in occupied Paris, and how the bomber crews worked.
This review is based on a copy provided by NetGalley.
September 12, 2019
When Allied planes went down over Nazi occupied Europe, the airmen who were lucky enough to survive had limited options: hide or be captured. Those who were able to evade Germans on the ground could only hope to encounter sympathetic citizens. Joe Cornwall and the survivors of the doomed plane he was on were fortunate to meet members of the French resistance who would shelter them and secret them to Paris to await escape back to England.
Georges and Denise Morin and their daughter Yvette were among those Parisians who were able to stay in their home during Nazi occupation because of their unique role as custodians of the Hotel des Invalides (site of Napoleon’s tomb). Though they were living in close proximity with their enemies, they were able to participate in the Resistance by housing airmen like Joe as the details of their escape were planned. Joe’s unusually lengthy stay at the Invalides would foster romance between him and Yvette. But love during war is not always practical.
While this wasn’t the most captivating WWII narrative I’ve read, it was intriguing to learn the structure of the French resistance and the logistics of how they assisted Allied airmen. The promise of Joe and Yvette’s enduring love also kept me engaged in their story (hah, pun intended). Ultimately, the fate of the Morins and the other rescued airmen was presented with a matter-of-fact finality that could have been infused with more emotion. Still, it was a good book that effectively portrayed the atmosphere of a city under siege and the inherent danger of being helpless in enemy territory.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Amazon Vine program.
Georges and Denise Morin and their daughter Yvette were among those Parisians who were able to stay in their home during Nazi occupation because of their unique role as custodians of the Hotel des Invalides (site of Napoleon’s tomb). Though they were living in close proximity with their enemies, they were able to participate in the Resistance by housing airmen like Joe as the details of their escape were planned. Joe’s unusually lengthy stay at the Invalides would foster romance between him and Yvette. But love during war is not always practical.
While this wasn’t the most captivating WWII narrative I’ve read, it was intriguing to learn the structure of the French resistance and the logistics of how they assisted Allied airmen. The promise of Joe and Yvette’s enduring love also kept me engaged in their story (hah, pun intended). Ultimately, the fate of the Morins and the other rescued airmen was presented with a matter-of-fact finality that could have been infused with more emotion. Still, it was a good book that effectively portrayed the atmosphere of a city under siege and the inherent danger of being helpless in enemy territory.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Amazon Vine program.
July 28, 2021
Escape from Paris is the true story of American aviators whose four B-17 Flying Fortresses were shot down over German occupied France on July 14, 1943, a date better known as Bastille Day. Some were rescued by French civilians, determined to help the aviators escape and rejoin their compatriots. The bulk of the book is a love story, as one particular airman, Joe Cornwall, finds happiness amid the danger.
I am a big reader of World War II history, but I am not really a fan of military history. The beginning of this book is all that, as it describes the bombers and military strategy in a dry manner.
The ways in which the men manage to escape, as well as their dealings with the French resistance, do not come through as it must have felt from the perspective of the individuals involved. The love story seems more pieced together than 100% factual, as the author uses phrases like "he must have felt".
Yvette and her family should be pushed more to the forefront for their courage and assistance, instead of the young woman and her relationship with Joe. Overall, I learned a lot of facts about Bastille Day and about the B-17 bombers, but I wanted to feel like I was living the history through the aviators and those who helped them. For the reasons listed above, I would be hesitant to recommend Escape From Paris to other readers.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Escape From Paris: A True Story of Love and Resistance in Wartime France by NetGalley and the publisher, Da Capo Press. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.
I am a big reader of World War II history, but I am not really a fan of military history. The beginning of this book is all that, as it describes the bombers and military strategy in a dry manner.
The ways in which the men manage to escape, as well as their dealings with the French resistance, do not come through as it must have felt from the perspective of the individuals involved. The love story seems more pieced together than 100% factual, as the author uses phrases like "he must have felt".
Yvette and her family should be pushed more to the forefront for their courage and assistance, instead of the young woman and her relationship with Joe. Overall, I learned a lot of facts about Bastille Day and about the B-17 bombers, but I wanted to feel like I was living the history through the aviators and those who helped them. For the reasons listed above, I would be hesitant to recommend Escape From Paris to other readers.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Escape From Paris: A True Story of Love and Resistance in Wartime France by NetGalley and the publisher, Da Capo Press. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.
July 2, 2019
Escape from Paris by Stephen Harding is a fabulous, gripping, suspenseful historical fiction novel based smack dab in the middle of WWII occupied Paris.
This novel will suck you right in to its vortex of suspense, romance, and espionage.
The main characters had complexity and were like able. The stories were adventurous, but believable, which is good considering it is based on true events of downed American pilots on Bastille Day and their interactions with the French Resistance and locals, and the events that folded thereafter. Sometimes authors can make a real-life story unbelievable, which was not the case with this excellent selection.
You felt vested in the downed pilots and Resistance and championed their cause.
There was just the right dash of romance and realism thrown in to add a human nature aspect that continued to draw the reader in and invest in their ending.
A great, thrilling read. Anyone that loves suspense, and a great war epic will love this novel.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Da Capo Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
This novel will suck you right in to its vortex of suspense, romance, and espionage.
The main characters had complexity and were like able. The stories were adventurous, but believable, which is good considering it is based on true events of downed American pilots on Bastille Day and their interactions with the French Resistance and locals, and the events that folded thereafter. Sometimes authors can make a real-life story unbelievable, which was not the case with this excellent selection.
You felt vested in the downed pilots and Resistance and championed their cause.
There was just the right dash of romance and realism thrown in to add a human nature aspect that continued to draw the reader in and invest in their ending.
A great, thrilling read. Anyone that loves suspense, and a great war epic will love this novel.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Da Capo Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
March 23, 2020
3.4 stars
Stephen Harding did historic research on a mission of allied fighter planes shot down over France on Bastille Day during WWII. Escape from Paris covers both intimate and broad details of those pilots and their journeys back to their units with the help of the French Resistance. Harding starts with a brief background on the pilot, Joe Cornwall, as well as that of the French ‘hiders,’ the Morin family.
The amount of details is amazing, including what the pilots wore and had for breakfast. I am not fond of battle reports, so that section was the least interesting for me. This was not the right book for me, as I am not fond of battles, airplanes and journalistic type writing. Harding writes in a scholarly fashion, so comparisons to the novel, The Nightingale, aren’t accurate. The third person writing does not go into feelings and motives of characters but reports on what happened with extensive footnotes. The 'love' part of the story was pretty blase. The bibliography is huge for those who want to know more about such events.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Stephen Harding did historic research on a mission of allied fighter planes shot down over France on Bastille Day during WWII. Escape from Paris covers both intimate and broad details of those pilots and their journeys back to their units with the help of the French Resistance. Harding starts with a brief background on the pilot, Joe Cornwall, as well as that of the French ‘hiders,’ the Morin family.
The amount of details is amazing, including what the pilots wore and had for breakfast. I am not fond of battle reports, so that section was the least interesting for me. This was not the right book for me, as I am not fond of battles, airplanes and journalistic type writing. Harding writes in a scholarly fashion, so comparisons to the novel, The Nightingale, aren’t accurate. The third person writing does not go into feelings and motives of characters but reports on what happened with extensive footnotes. The 'love' part of the story was pretty blase. The bibliography is huge for those who want to know more about such events.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2023
Escape From Paris by Stephen Harding is the true story of French Resistance in occupied Paris. The story begins when Joe Cornwall, an American soldier, is shot down from a B-17 fighter plane in France on July 14th, 1943, also known as Bastille Day. Joe is aided by French civilians and resistance workers and transported to Paris to the Hôtel des Invalides, where he meets the Morin family. Georges and Denise Morin, along with their twenty-one-year-old daughter Yvette, are the caretakers of the Hôtel des Invalides, and work in the Paris line of the French resistance helping hide and move soldiers and others escaping from the Germans.
Escape From Paris is an incredible true story. I loved learning about the French resistance. The members of the Morin family were incredibly brave and resilient. I'm also fascinated by how the American soldiers were moved around and hidden, led by people willing to risk their lives, and finally transported out of France by way of train, plane, or trekking over the mountains. The ending was heartbreaking. I'm grateful that Harding took the time to uncover this story through research and interviews, even meeting with Yvette Morin herself.
Escape From Paris is an incredible true story. I loved learning about the French resistance. The members of the Morin family were incredibly brave and resilient. I'm also fascinated by how the American soldiers were moved around and hidden, led by people willing to risk their lives, and finally transported out of France by way of train, plane, or trekking over the mountains. The ending was heartbreaking. I'm grateful that Harding took the time to uncover this story through research and interviews, even meeting with Yvette Morin herself.
July 26, 2019
"Escape from Paris" eBook was published in 2019 (October) and was written by Stephen Harding (http://stephenhardingbooks.com/index....). Mr. Harding has published four books.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘G’. The story is set in German-occupied France. While on a bombing raid, a B-17 is shot down on July 14, 1943. This story tells how they are rescued by the French, hidden from the Germans, and eventually smuggled out of France.
The crew makes repeated attempts to leave France, but they are blocked again and again. Along the way one of the American flyers falls in love with the young daughter of a family hiding him in Paris.
I enjoyed the 7 hours I spent reading this 288-page non-fiction story. I enjoyed this look at the French resistance at work in German-occupied France. I like the cover art chosen. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘G’. The story is set in German-occupied France. While on a bombing raid, a B-17 is shot down on July 14, 1943. This story tells how they are rescued by the French, hidden from the Germans, and eventually smuggled out of France.
The crew makes repeated attempts to leave France, but they are blocked again and again. Along the way one of the American flyers falls in love with the young daughter of a family hiding him in Paris.
I enjoyed the 7 hours I spent reading this 288-page non-fiction story. I enjoyed this look at the French resistance at work in German-occupied France. I like the cover art chosen. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
July 16, 2020
Story centered on American bomber crews in in the USAAF during WWII-- their backgrounds, training and combat experiences. It then further focuses on Joe Cornwall, a gunner on a B17, who gets shot down during a bombing run over occupied France. He and some other crew members manage to survive their parachuted landing, find sympathetic French, who then eventually shepherd many of them back to England by various means. Joe Cornwall, specifically, not only makes it back to England, but during his hiding from the Nazis in Paris, falls in love with a young French woman and is engaged to be married to her. As the protagonist reaches safety in England, unfortunately, his betrothed has no such luck with the Gestapo, and she goes through her own Hell. The only fault I find with this otherwise well-written book, and it may not be the fault of the author, is a sense of absence of Joe Cornwall after the war, and an unexpected re-centering of the focus on "Yvette", his fiance. What happened to Joe? Perhaps his trail just disappeared. We don't know.
July 15, 2019
Escape From Paris provides a vivid picture of what Allied airmen and the people who formed the various networks of the French resistance went through during World War II. The author obviously did a lot of research (there are copious footnotes), but was still able to write a compelling narrative, focusing on just a handful of personal stories of (mostly American) downed aviators and one French family in particular. The accounts of how the members of the resistance managed to effect the downed airmen's escape from Occupied France are detailed and show the reader how much they put themselves in danger by doing this work. I have a branch of my family who is French and so I had a particular interest in reading on this topic. While familiar with World War II history in general, I found that I learned a great deal while reading this book. Who knew there were "military tourists" in Paris while the city was occupied by Nazi Germany? Not me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and DaCapo Press (Hachette) for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and DaCapo Press (Hachette) for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
September 9, 2019
The Morin family—Georges, his wife Denise, and daughter Yvette—are caretakers at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. They hide Allied airmen, including American Joe Cornwall of the 94th Bomb Group.
During the time together, Joe and Yvette fall in love and promise to marry after the war. Joe escapes back to England. The Morin family is arrested by the Germans with frightful consequences.
After the war, Yvette chose to remain in Paris to care for her mother. The war brought Joe and Yvette together, but peace separated them.
The way the Morins’ lives turn out is so sad. They did what was right and suffered horribly. Had Denise and Yvette known what happened to Georges, they probably would have found closure and had a happier rest-of-their-lives.
Escape from Paris offers a horrifying view of life in a country occupied by a brutal enemy, and the courage required to resist evil.
October 25, 2019
A wonderful historical fiction read that is centered in war time Paris . I loved the rich charcters, the nuances of surviving during war time and the relationships the author created. This is a very enjoyable read for all who love this time period .
Thank you for the ARC. My review opinions are my own. Cross posted review.
In this book we meet charcters that are complex living among the worse of times in the city they love and hope to save. There are many adventures and events that draw the reader into the time and place. I enjoyed the side of romance and how those in love as couples were affected during this terrible time. It was a very believable read for fiction and a book I enjoyed escaping to . I loved the French Resistance and the Americans they interacted with and protected. This has everything you would want from a war time historical fiction read and is always a great charcter study of differing sides during the war.
Thank you for the ARC. My review opinions are my own. Cross posted review.
In this book we meet charcters that are complex living among the worse of times in the city they love and hope to save. There are many adventures and events that draw the reader into the time and place. I enjoyed the side of romance and how those in love as couples were affected during this terrible time. It was a very believable read for fiction and a book I enjoyed escaping to . I loved the French Resistance and the Americans they interacted with and protected. This has everything you would want from a war time historical fiction read and is always a great charcter study of differing sides during the war.
August 9, 2019
I would rate this book a good 4-1/4 stars. The story does get dragged down a bit by all the technical information regarding planes, rules and regulations of the Air Force, etc. but the rest of the story certainly makes up for any short falls. The story is about Yvette and Joe and their instant attraction to each other under the most stressful of conditions during World War II and the occupation of Paris! I have just started getting into reading about the Resistance and I truly enjoyed reading this book! There was a bit of a surprised at the end that I didn't anticipate. One thing I found frustrating was not able to access the Notes while reading the book as I have an iPad ... i think the story line would have been enhanced if I had been able to! I have to give the author kudos for a well researched story ...well done!
November 18, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book for all the details about wartime France, the resistance movement, and the accounts of downed American aviators' experiences as they were smuggled back to the Allies. The love story element was only a piece of the overall tale, but it made the history come alive with a very human perspective. Using first-hand narratives and personal interviews as his raw material, Harding has crafted an engaging and enlightening spotlight on those fliers who made great personal sacrifices to answer the nation's call to combat. In addition, he clearly depicts the sacrifices that many French men and women made to help bring the war to an end; the most affecting part of the book for me was reading what the resistance fighters endured after being captured by the Germans. World War II history buffs should enjoy this one!
I was provided a free e-copy of the book by Netgalley.com for my objective review.
I was provided a free e-copy of the book by Netgalley.com for my objective review.
May 27, 2020
Escape form Paris by Stephen Harding discusses the story of the B-17 bombers that were shot down on Bastille Day July 14, 1943 and the resistance fighters who got them out. The story centers on Joe Cornwall and Yvette Morin but also covers many of the other pilots shot down that day and the resistance fighters who got them out. Joe falls in love with Yvette who uses the Invalides as their staging area to help downed aviators and others who support the resistance with their location right under the noses of the Germans. I don’t want the story to be spoiled so I won’t go into details but as the title implies Joe and Yvette fall in love and are torn apart by his duty to go back to bombing and Yvette’s family capture and sentence to concentration camps. This book is very well written, fast paced and an interesting story lost in the archives of World War II.
October 7, 2023
Harding relates the experiences of the surviving crews of bombers shot down over Occupied France during a Bastille Day bombing run, focusing mostly on waist-gunner Joe Cornwall of the B-17 Salty's Naturals. The book engagingly relates their training as crews, their missions, their final mission, and the Resistance's shuttling them around to safe places, with Cornwall and several others being hidden in a huge museum complex in Paris by the family who lived and worked there. Joe and the family's daughter even find romance. Harding successfully creates suspense in relating the fates of the airmen and their Resistance saviors - and he also effectively conveys the heartbreak and suffering under Nazi occupation. That said, the humor of the people Harding reports on also shines through. Escape from Paris is thoroughly researched, including first person accounts, and is engagingly written.
September 13, 2019
3.5 stars. Joe Cornwall was a gunner during World War II when his plane went down over occupied France. Through a series of brave resistors, he found his way to the apartment of the Morins and into a brief romance with their daughter, Yvette. I enjoyed reading this, especially about the brave French Resistance. This was a relatively short nonfiction account and I actually was not as interested in Joe's story, but it is worth reading in order to get the story of the Morins and all of their associates. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2019
Escape from Paris is billed as a True story of love and resistance in wartime France, and for the most part that is true. But for me it seemed like the author was searching for a way to reach more readers. For the first 1/3 of the book it was very dry, technical reading but then the main character, Joe, reaches his base in Europe and begins flying bombing missions. The story picks up from there. The plane Joe is on crashes, he survives and the story is amazing! It was very well researched and documented, however the part of the story that actually kept me interested took to long to evolve.
Thank you to Netgalley and @dacapopressbooks for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and @dacapopressbooks for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 13, 2020
Concise story of WWII in France...rescuing downed flyers, hiding them, getting them back to England. And there is a love story. Not bad.
The blurb touts this as a combination of the (historical fiction) "All the Light We Cannot See", and "The Nightingale". As good as "Escape..." may be, it just cannot approach these two. Historical fiction allows the author to introduce powerful literary devices that can outpace straight history.
But, then, history has a way of generating its own impact. And in "Escape", the fate of the French "resistant" can be quite powerful.
The blurb touts this as a combination of the (historical fiction) "All the Light We Cannot See", and "The Nightingale". As good as "Escape..." may be, it just cannot approach these two. Historical fiction allows the author to introduce powerful literary devices that can outpace straight history.
But, then, history has a way of generating its own impact. And in "Escape", the fate of the French "resistant" can be quite powerful.
October 3, 2019
“Escape from Paris” tells the intensely personal WWII war stories of Joe Cornwall and his french rescuer, Yvette Morin. While many of these stories are being published, both fiction and non-fiction, it is touching to become better acquainted with the young airmen who fought so bravely, and the equally brave résistantes who provided them shelter and help in returning home.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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