Alan Riding, a former European cultural correspondent for the New York Times, recounts Parisian life under the Nazi swastika and the forced compromises of French writers, artists, and performers under Hitler’s rule.

“It’s August 25, 1944, and the shrill voice is Adolph Hitler’s….Is Paris Burning? He smashes his fist on the table…Jodl! he screams at his chief of staff, I demand to know! Yes or No? Is Paris Burning Now?” All the important buildings, services for gas, electric, water, telephone, telegraph, transportation, every bridge and even the Eiffel Tower had been wired with massive explosives in order to leave nothing but smoldering ruins to slow down the allies, who at that very moment were advancing into Paris, spearheaded by the French 2nd Armored Division and the American 4th….only by a quirk of fate is the switch not thrown in those last few minutes; Paris is saved for the ages, to be enjoyed in her beauty and carefree spirit for generations to come….until Friday the 13th, 2015.