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Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure
The remarkable untold story of France’s courageous, clever vinters who protected and rescued the country’s most treasured commodity from German plunder during World War II.
"To be a Frenchman means to fight for your country and its wine."
–Claude Terrail, owner, Restaurant La Tour d’Argent
In 1940, France fell to the Nazis and almost immediately the German army began a campa...more
"To be a Frenchman means to fight for your country and its wine."
–Claude Terrail, owner, Restaurant La Tour d’Argent
In 1940, France fell to the Nazis and almost immediately the German army began a campa...more
ebook, 256 pages
Published
June 18th 2002
by Broadway
(first published April 30th 2001)
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Dec 24, 2007
Shane
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
wine lovers, history buffs
Shelves:
non-fiction
The concept of this book is original and interesting, and is what initially got me reading it. It tells the story of various French winemakers and associated individuals as they struggled with German occupation through WWII. It's short (250 pages), easy to read, and generally interesting to anyone who enjoys wine, French culture, or wants to read an interesting take on WWII history.
While generally entertaining and somewhat engrossing, the biggest issue I had was the choppy storytelling. The auth...more
While generally entertaining and somewhat engrossing, the biggest issue I had was the choppy storytelling. The auth...more
Jul 19, 2008
max
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
winos
Shelves:
kitchen
It's hard to understand how important the wine is to the French; perhaps the best analogy would be how important sport is to us Americans. With too few male sluggers to form a baseball league while liberating the French, we pinch-hit the ladies. This book covers how the winemakers of France covered their cherished fields during far greater deprivations.
The challenge for amateur historians and husband and wife team Don and Petie Kladstrup is how to balance the routine horror of Vichy France, with...more
The challenge for amateur historians and husband and wife team Don and Petie Kladstrup is how to balance the routine horror of Vichy France, with...more
2 likes · like · see review
This nonfiction book tells how French winemakers protected their wine and vines from the Nazis during WWII. It took me a few chapters to get into the story because it was difficult for me to keep all the French names straight, and I was too focused on understanding what part of France was being described. Once I let all that go and read it only for the stories, it became interesting (and eventually it was very easy to keep who, where and when straight). This is an interesting part of the history...more
An interesting look at the French wine industry during WWII. Provides some insight into how people cope with an occupation, what it means to resist and collaborate and the attitudes of an occupier when the combatants are neighbors.
However, it is a bit light on history when the authors drift from the main topic, making some rather odd assertions (like the impact of mistresses on foreign and defense policy) with no analysis. I would guess this is more a defect of the type of history this is: easi...more
However, it is a bit light on history when the authors drift from the main topic, making some rather odd assertions (like the impact of mistresses on foreign and defense policy) with no analysis. I would guess this is more a defect of the type of history this is: easi...more
Feb 09, 2008
Joe
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
World War II buffs, Wine lovers
I love history books that approach a large topic, such as the Depression, or the American Revolution, or, in this case World War II, from a very specific point of view. That's what this book does. The French wine industry, long renowned for its outstanding beverages, also played a significant part in the economic and social climate of the war. Books like this, books with a very specific focus, are the best way to learn about history. You'll get more from a book like this than you will just about...more
When I first read reviews of this, there was an awful lot of gushing about how magnificent it was that the French had doggedly withheld much of their best wines from the Germans during the occupation, often by hiding it in cellars and secret rooms, and as much as I like wine, I couldn't help but note that perhaps people who had the wherewithal to hide stuff from the Germans might have focused their energies on hiding other things as well. My interest was caught enough, though, that I picked this...more
Perhaps because the French capitulated so early in World War II, there seems to not have been that many prominent books about WWII France. At least I have not come across them. The ones I have seen center on German activities/strategies/atrocities or D-Day or come from the British/American perspective.
This book was incredibly enlightening (for me) as to what went on in France during the Occupation. The writers did an excellent job of tracking down key players in the wine trade and learning their...more
This book was incredibly enlightening (for me) as to what went on in France during the Occupation. The writers did an excellent job of tracking down key players in the wine trade and learning their...more
We have probably read 700-800 books over the past decade, maybe seven or eight of which have been non-fiction! But knowing we were wine aficionados, a friend lent us this historical account of how the French vintners struggled to save their wineries, their precious wine cellars, and of course, even their lives for that matter during the German occupation of France during WWII. The book reflects extensive research, and much of the anecdotal narrative recounts stories garnered by the authors direc...more
In no way must one be a wine afficionado to enjoy this wonderful book. What one must have is an appreciation of the culture of France, an important part of which is their wine. A symbol of national pride, wine was just one of many victims of the devastation wroght by World War II. From the common soldier all the way to the highest officials of the Nazi party, Germany pilfered France of their prized treasure. Hitler (who didn't even particularly like wine) stockpiled thousands of cases of "requis...more
This is the second non-fiction book I have read about an alcoholic beverage, not counting the one about rum my brother got me in 2007 that I did not finish because of moving. The other was about champagne. Maybe I could read one about everything and make an anthology.
Anyways, this was a nice way to appreciate the French, their modern history, and their wine. Quite honestly, it gave me a better sense of the acts of resistance the French accomplished while basically sleeping with the enemy. Consi...more
Anyways, this was a nice way to appreciate the French, their modern history, and their wine. Quite honestly, it gave me a better sense of the acts of resistance the French accomplished while basically sleeping with the enemy. Consi...more
I'm not big on reading history books, but this one is full of interesting personal stories, from the perspective of French civilians who lived through the Nazi occupation. Some were brave figures of the Resistance, some hid Jewish friends, and some were just trying to survive and preserve their wine and wine making businesses and traditions. The German "weinfurhers" aren't cartoon bad guys in this book. They are also complex people, trying to care for their families and not get sent to the Easte...more
Feb 10, 2009
Sandra D
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
world-war-ii,
western-europe
Lively, engaging story of French winemakers' efforts to protect their legacy and livelihood from greedy Nazi invaders, though probably of more interest to oenophiles than others. Ironically, my favorite wine is a nice dry Riesling from Germany.
Jan 06, 2009
Irene
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Francophiles, oenophiles, WWII buffs
Recommended to Irene by:
NPR
Shelves:
non-fiction
I have a disappointing tendency to read books (or see movies) and eventually forget everything about them - even if I actually liked the book or movie. This is what happened with Wine and War, so I just re-read it.
It's good! Very approachable; you don't need to know much about WWII to follow along, and wine terminology is explained in context. At times it reads like a high school history paper, and at other times, I think, "This would make a great movie!" There's a cast of recurring characters t...more
It's good! Very approachable; you don't need to know much about WWII to follow along, and wine terminology is explained in context. At times it reads like a high school history paper, and at other times, I think, "This would make a great movie!" There's a cast of recurring characters t...more
This is a wonderful book if you like wine or history. The book tells the mostly unknown story of how Nazi Germany stole France's most valuable commodity and pride, wine. It is very interesting and you will learn much about WWII that you probably didn't know. For a unique view of the war you should read this book. For those who are wine enthusiastes or just enjoy a glass now and then, you will learn much about the process and skill involved in making wine and champagne. Four stars because I do no...more
I truly enjoyed this fine wine...er book. This was a great story of the courage, cleverness, and sometimes just plain luck that allowed French winemakers to save a least some of her greatest wines during the Nazi occupation of the WWII in the 1940s It is an engaging and informative work that draws the reader in and leaves a delightful and satisfying "after-read." Really, I loved it. On occasion I had to flip back a few chapters to keep track of the families and individuals whose stories the auth...more
I expected another poorly written, under-informed book about wine, and this was not the case. Yes, this book is not about wine, as the authors note, but about World War II and the French wine industry. Episodically written, with a cast of recurring, true characters, Wine and War will hook you from the beginning. With a star-studded cast of winemakers who we see taken from the vineyards and cellars and placed into forced military service, POW camps, hiding, and joining the Resistance. People like...more
Este livro reporta a Segunda Guerra Mundial sob uma óptica diferente, em que um dos maiores tesouros da França, a viticultura, sofria sérias ameaças de acabar se tornando propriedade alemã. Em linguagem jornalística, baseada em depoimentos de sobreviventes e histórias contadas pelas tradicionais famílias, como Moët & Chandon, o livro conta as peripécias feitas pelas vinícolas para proteger seus melhores vinhos e champanhes. Dentre as principais ações das famílias francesas, foi esconder as g...more
Apr 01, 2009
Scott
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
any wine lover or history buff
Wow! Not very often a non fiction book can make this tough guy well up but this one did! It is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It was a little disjointed at first (I thought) but if you read it, make sure you look at the glossary in the back to get the true meaning of some of those funky French words and wine phrases. I had a bit of a hard time tracking all the people but I kept plugging and it all came together. For those who know me, you may be surprised to learn that I have...more
Oct 31, 2012
Georgene
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
WWII history buffs
Recommended to Georgene by:
Alan Wickstrand
Shelves:
history
I've never really been "into" the history of WWII, but my husband recommended this book to me. I found it to be very interesting and much of it runs counter to many of the stories I have heard about France during WWII.
This book covers some of the trials and tribulations that the French wine industry underwent during the war. By extension, it also examines the larger picture of what the French people went through during that time.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this pe...more
This book covers some of the trials and tribulations that the French wine industry underwent during the war. By extension, it also examines the larger picture of what the French people went through during that time.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this pe...more
This book is a fabulous look at the development and struggle of France's wine industry during WWII. It's very easy to read because of its narrative style that I would liken to an anthropological study of French wine. The tales of real people both French, German, American etc. reveals the importance that wine had in bringing people together, but also one of the prime motivation of the Third Reich to tear France down.
I enjoy wine but I am nowhere near an expert, but this book has inspired me to s...more
I enjoy wine but I am nowhere near an expert, but this book has inspired me to s...more
This was of course a book about war, but it was principally a book about the French people and what it was like to live with the threat and the reality of life under German occupation. It was a life where all bets were off, where what was yours could cease to be yours on a moment's notice. The products of a lifetime of effort--carefully nurtured vineyards, cellars full of premium wines, beloved horses--could be taken away any instant on the whim of nearby soldiers or far-away military leaders. S...more
This is a collection of beautiful true stories surrounding the World War 2 German occupation of France. The tales are inspiring examples of heroism, bravery, and humanity. The writing is not really beautiful and the way the stories were told made it a little difficult to keep track of all the names of all of the members of the various French families that the book chronicles. Nevertheless, the stories speak for themselves and the research that supplements them is first rate. 4 stars!
1 like · like · see review
If you like wine and history, this book is for you. It is biographical in the sense that it recounts several well-known wine families of France and what they went through, 'how they hid' or tried to trick the Nazi's, etc. from getting their wine. A little known fact is that Hitler was a wine fanatic and wanted all the good French wine and champagne brought to Germany...
I've loaned this book to several 'wine-lover' friends, both men and women, and all enjoyed the book.
I've loaned this book to several 'wine-lover' friends, both men and women, and all enjoyed the book.
I loved this book and recommend it highly. It was a quick read for a non-fiction book. It details the roll that the French wine trade played in World War 2 and the roll that the war played in the wine trade. Great stories about Hitler's stock piles of fine French wines, about winemakers sabotaging champagne shipments to the troops, and about the winemakers using their trade with the Germans to deduce German troop strategies in Egypt. I didn't expect it to be so funny.
This was one of the most fascinating books I have read in a long while. I love wine, and the history of how the French perservered under the Nazi regime made this a really unique perspective on life in Europe during WWII.
This book is filled with first hand stories, memoirs and facts from the families who lived through these terrible times. A wonderful story of French heritage and fortitude.
A must read.
This book is filled with first hand stories, memoirs and facts from the families who lived through these terrible times. A wonderful story of French heritage and fortitude.
A must read.
Oddly interesting history of how the various, major French wine firms protected and hid their wine stocks from the German occupiers during WWII. At times read like Hogan's Heroes (loveable Nazis who acted like keystone cops) but at other times deadly serious as some of the vintners were caught adulterating, diluting or substituting (cheap wines for premium vintages) and shot.
An excellent book for that Oenophile-WWII history buff in your life...
An excellent book for that Oenophile-WWII history buff in your life...
Read quickly enough though I found the prose to be lackluster and the organization of the story to be less than ideal - but it is certainly an interesting set of events. Basically: Nazis take France, Nazis like wine, Nazis loot wine, French hide their best wines, French sell Nazis bad wines with fake labels, etc. Wine, in case it is not clear, is France's greatest treasure. Unsure how I feel about that, but I certainly craved wine as I read along.
An interesting slant on France's WW2 experiences through the prism of the wine industry. Some great anecdotes about fooling the Germans are juxtaposed with stories that highlight the horror and brutality of the Nazi regime. More than anything, this book shows how fundamentally important wine is as part of French identity, life and culture. I found the reading of it was even more pleasurable with a glass of wine in hand.
This look at French wine during WWII focuses mostly on a handful of figures on the French and Nazi sides. If you are already familiar with French history during the war, then a large chunk of this will be a rehash. Sabotage, the Maquis, hunger, looting, etc. But the story of the individuals here, seen through the lens of the (probably overstated) importance of wine to French culture and identity, makes this a worthwhile read.
This was an interesting look at what happened to the French wine industry during World War II. I had never given much thought to what took place there during the Occupation, but it made for a fascinating look at not only the wine industry but also at life in general as an occupied country. I frequently got lost in the details and names, but my overall impression of the book was good.
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| What's The Name o...: Story about moving wine barrels stealthily [s] | 8 | 36 | May 18, 2013 02:57am |
Feb 20, 2013 09:19am