Abstract

Why France, the major European continental victor in 1918, suffered total defeat in six weeks at the hands of the vanquished power of 1918 only two decades later remains moot. Why the stunning reversal of fortunes? In this volume thirteen prominent scholars reexamine the French debacle of 1940 in interwar perspectives, utilizing fresh analysis, original approaches, and new sources. Although the tenor of the volume is critical, the contributors also suggest that French preparations for war knew successes as well as failures, that French defeat was not inevitable, and that the Battle of France might have turned out differently if different choices had been made and other paths been followed.

"This stimulating and valuable collection ... does a superb job of demonstrating the intricacies of this acutely troubling problem."  · H-Diplo

"This excellent volume of essays ... the editor and publisher are to be congratulated on a valuable and handsome volume."  · The Journal of Military History

"... makes available a rich offering of the latest research on the defeat of 1940."  · The International History Review

Joel Blatt teaches at the University of Connecticut at Stamford.