Fighting France, from Dunkerque to Belfort

"Fighting France, from Dunkerque to Belfort" by Edith Wharton is a historical account written during the early 20th century, specifically around the time of World War I. The work presents an observational narrative of France during the initial months of the war, capturing the transformation of the landscape and the lives of its people as they brace for the realities of conflict. The beginning of the book introduces readers to the serene beauty of Paris in July 1914, seamlessly blending descriptions of its architecture and social atmosphere with an undercurrent of anxiety about the impending war. Wharton depicts a Paris that is both vibrant and suspended in a moment of peace, filled with tourists and locals unaware of the turmoil soon to erupt. As the narrative unfolds, it signifies a drastic shift, detailing scenes of mobilization and the collective resolve of the French people preparing for battle. Through Wharton’s lens, we observe the balance of tranquility and tension, illustrating the initial disbelief and acceptance of the war that would soon engulf the nation. This opening sets the stage for a poignant exploration of the impact of war on French society, culture, and landscapes. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edith Newbold Wharton was an American writer and designer. Wharton drew upon her insider's knowledge of the upper-class New York "aristocracy" to portray, realistically, the lives and morals of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, for her novel, The Age of Innocence. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in 1996. Her other well-known works are The House of Mirth, the novella Ethan Frome, and several notable ghost stories.