PéTain’s Crime

Petain’s Crime investigates the role of Marechal Philippe Petain in the persecution and mass murder of Jews under the Vichy government. It remains the definitive account of this ‘hero’ and ‘national saviour’, whose complicity was long hidden in secrecy and shame. Since the first publication of Petain’s Crime in 1990, there has been a radical change of attitude within the French government towards Vichy activities. This shift was brought about in part by Paul Webster’s discoveries. Webster has now updated Petain’s Crime to cover this historic development, including trials of war criminals and the national denunciation of Vichy that followed the death of President Francois Mitterrand, who had opposed official condemnation.

‘An illuminating and dramatic account.’ Independent on Sunday

‘Lucidly and dispassionately, it tells an astounding story.’ Evening Standard

‘Paul Webster’s account cuts through like a guillotine’ Mail on Sunday