Orphans of the Republic

Discover the gripping narrative of "Orphans of the Republic" by Olivier Wieviorka, published by Harvard University Press in 2009. This compelling work spans 448 pages and delves into a pivotal moment in French history. On July 10, 1940, the French parliament voted overwhelmingly to grant Philippe Pétain full powers, marking the end of the Third Republic and ushering in the controversial Vichy regime. Wieviorka expertly recreates the fraught atmosphere of that summer, illustrating how the pressures of defeat impacted even the staunchest defenders of the republic. This book is essential for anyone interested in France's political landscape during World War II and the complex attitudes of its legislators. Engage with a critical examination of a nation's struggle and transformation during one of its darkest periods.