Fall from Grace (English and French Edition) Hardcover – January 1, 1985

I read this book probably 20-30 years ago and I remembered it as the best WWII historical fiction book I'd read. Recently, I'd wanted to reread it, see if it was as good as I remembered it being, but it had gone out of print and there was no Kindle version. I found a used copy on Amazon--which arrived on time and in perfect condition! Just finished reading the book and, yes, it was just as good as I had remembered it being. So much emphasis is--rightfully so--placed on the actual soldiers, sailors, airmen, all of those involved in the actual fighting. But this book tells a fictionalized version of what happened behind the scenes--the planning, the cunning, the deviousness as well as the courage and sacrifice displayed by so many of the unsung heroes of that war. The author perhaps encapsulated the the treachery best by a Horace Walpole quote he had spoken by one of the characters: "No country was ever saved by good men, because good men will not go to the length that may be necessary." Indeed.

This book is almost a Roman a clef. There are a couple of key changes that an SOE buff like myself would spot. But they just make for a better story. I've been bitten by the SOE bug and have recently read several good books on the subject, especially pertaining to SOE(F) section. Larry Collins has told a great story. He uses enough tradecraft, telling details, and real events to good effect. He get his research and story telling just right. In the past I've found most historical novels as not worth the effort. Why read some novelist's pale effort to cash in on real red-blooded history. The writer usually can't deliver the goods. This novel is an exception to that rule.

Larry Collins excels in his re-creation of Operation Fortitude, the plan to deceive Hitler as to the true invasion site of D-Day. What wondrous webs of deceit, betrayal, love and commitment are woven by this talented author. Fast paced, historical fiction at its best. The heroine, based on true profiles of French women of the Resistance, is unforgetable, haunting. Cannot recommend this more highly. Educational, thrilling, humbling. Another achievement for the author of "Is Paris Burning", the true story of the German General von Stoltitz who refused to follow Hitler's orders to annihilate Paris as the Allies drew close. Bravo!

I was led to purchase this book when I did a web search for "Oradour" (the town, not the book). The book had nothing to do with the Oradour massacre. It did elaborate on the extent that the Allies went to convince the Germans that the Normandy invasion was a diversion from the 'real' invasion that was to occur at Calais. Not bad, but not Hemingway.

This was written when Collins was in his prime and one of his best books! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a story with a historic foundation.

Take a true thriller of a historical plot and put it in the hands of a talented novelist and the end result is fanatastic,A fascinalting, intriguing and compelling read.

OK book.

Awesome!

This novel has been well described by other reviewers. It sets out in convincing detail a number of issues ranging from the rivalry between MI6 and SOE, the amateur conduct of SOE, the bravery of its agents, the crucial nature of Fortitude and the lengths to which we would go to influence German thinking.It is an absorbing account, very much based on apparent fact and with a number of real life characters playing a major part. it deviates from known fact only in the fate of the air organiser Paul/Dericourt.I read it first when published and then again in 2023, it has lost none of its impact

Reading

Larry Collins writes a novel that smacks authenticity. It is a subject he is very knowledgeable about. The story is fast-paced yet detailed. The main protagonists are ruthless and determined yet emotional, whether it's the love of country or affairs of the heart. The tension does not let up for a minute and keeps you reading till the end. A wonderful read

This book was based on a real double agent from WW2...thinly disguised for legal reasons I'm sure. There has been a small community of espionage fanatics who will recognize characters from Britain's wartime spy/saboteur agency SOE - F section (France). A great read.

Exactly as was advertised