Cathal Nolan presents "Revolt: Paris and Warsaw, August 1944"

5:00 p.m. Reception | 6:00 p.m. Presentation | 7:00 p.m. Book Signing

The Institute for the Study of War and Democracy is delighted to host a conversation between two leaders in the field of military history to commemorate the 75th anniversary of two of the best-known uprisings in World War II. Join us as Boston University’s Cathal Nolan, PhD, and the Museum’s own Rob Citino, PhD, discuss these two insurrections, which occurred at nearly the exact same time at opposite ends of Europe with completely opposite outcomes.

August 25, 1944, is remembered for the joyous celebration as French and American troops entered the “City of Light,” which had been under the yoke of the Nazi jackboot for more than four years. Soldiers and armor—rushing to the French capital to aid the local French Resistance that had risen up against the German forces—were greeted by Parisians who offered song, drink, hugs, and kisses for their liberators. This was followed by Charles de Gaulle’s triumphant march down the Champs Elysees and the victorious parade of American GIs who had a moment to bask in the glory of the triumphant occasion before heading off to the front beyond the Seine.

Unfortunately, the brave resisters of Warsaw saw no such aide from the Soviet forces just across the Vistula River during their long and torturous 63-day struggle to overthrow their occupiers of nearly five years. Stalin explicitly ordered that his troops not cross the river to aid the uprising, in hopes that the Polish resistance, whom he saw as a future adversary, would be crushed. More than 168,000 Poles were killed and more than 80 percent of the city was reduced to ruins. The Warsaw Uprising was a heroic but failed effort.

For more information or to register, call 504-528-1944 x 412.

About the authors:

Cathal J. Nolan is Associate Professor of History and Executive Director of the International History Institute, Boston University. He is an award-winning teacher and scholar of military and international history. His The Allure of Battle: A History of How Wars Have Been Won and Lost received the Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History. The $50,000 prize is cosponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the New York Historical Society and “recognizes the best book on military history in the English-speaking world distinguished by its scholarship, its contribution to the literature, and its appeal to both a general and an academic audience.”

His other books include a two-volume Concise History of World War II, Wars of the Age of Louis XIV, and a two-volume study of The Age of the Wars of Religion. Dr. Nolan consults on military history for the PBS series NOVA and various other documentary films. He is currently writing Decency: Mercy and Honor in War.

Joining Nolan in conversation will be Dr. Citino, author of 10 books on World War II and the Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy as well as the Museum’s Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian. The reception and presentation are free and open to the public but please register to attend.