The Trial of Pierre Laval

Defining Treason, Collaboration and Patriotism in World War II France

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War II
Cover of the book The Trial of Pierre Laval by J. Kenneth Brody, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: J. Kenneth Brody ISBN: 9781351297745
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 28, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: J. Kenneth Brody
ISBN: 9781351297745
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 28, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In a stunning work combining historical memory, legal ambiguity, and profound issues of justice, J. Kenneth Brody provides a picture of France in World War II that continues to haunt the present. Architect in 1940 of Marshal Petain's Vichy French regime and its prime minister from April 1942 to August 1944, at war's end Pierre Laval was promptly arrested on charges of treason. This book tells the story of his trial. Did he betray France, or did he serve France under terrible circumstances? What was the truth of "collaboration"? This book considers the pretrial proceedings, or lack thereof, the evidence, and the arguments of the prosecution, as well as Laval's vigorous defense in the early days of the trial.

Because of irregularities in the preliminary proceedings, Laval's defense counsel declined from the outset to participate in the trial. For those reasons and because of the prejudicial conduct of the prosecution, on the third day of the trial, Pierre Laval also declined to participate further. What his defense might have been in a normal pre-trial proceeding and in a fair trial are matters of conjecture. What remains clear is that political trials are a unique form of law and moral judgment.

Trials and history share a common goal-the truth. Trial, judgment, and appeal are intended to produce finality. History, on the other hand, is never final. After its performance in the trial of Pierre Laval, the government of France continued its policy of concealment, even though the truth could no longer determine the outcome of the trial. Slowly, by persistence, courage, and loyalty, history's claims to truth were established. This book presents the defense that might have been presented and then relates the final judgment, its grisly execution only eleven days after the trial opened, and its aftermath.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In a stunning work combining historical memory, legal ambiguity, and profound issues of justice, J. Kenneth Brody provides a picture of France in World War II that continues to haunt the present. Architect in 1940 of Marshal Petain's Vichy French regime and its prime minister from April 1942 to August 1944, at war's end Pierre Laval was promptly arrested on charges of treason. This book tells the story of his trial. Did he betray France, or did he serve France under terrible circumstances? What was the truth of "collaboration"? This book considers the pretrial proceedings, or lack thereof, the evidence, and the arguments of the prosecution, as well as Laval's vigorous defense in the early days of the trial.

Because of irregularities in the preliminary proceedings, Laval's defense counsel declined from the outset to participate in the trial. For those reasons and because of the prejudicial conduct of the prosecution, on the third day of the trial, Pierre Laval also declined to participate further. What his defense might have been in a normal pre-trial proceeding and in a fair trial are matters of conjecture. What remains clear is that political trials are a unique form of law and moral judgment.

Trials and history share a common goal-the truth. Trial, judgment, and appeal are intended to produce finality. History, on the other hand, is never final. After its performance in the trial of Pierre Laval, the government of France continued its policy of concealment, even though the truth could no longer determine the outcome of the trial. Slowly, by persistence, courage, and loyalty, history's claims to truth were established. This book presents the defense that might have been presented and then relates the final judgment, its grisly execution only eleven days after the trial opened, and its aftermath.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Art of Theatrical Design by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Problems of Democratization in China by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Light Touches by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book John F. Kennedy and the Politics of Arms Sales to Israel by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book The Woman's Film of the 1940s by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Beyond Benefit Cost Analysis by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Studies in Social and Political Theory (RLE Social Theory) by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Rethinking Japanese Studies by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book 2000 Tips for Lecturers by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Tourism in the Antarctic by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Negotiated Empires by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Monteverdi by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Industrial Housewives by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Landscape and Memory in Post-Fascist Italian Film by J. Kenneth Brody
Cover of the book Punk Pedagogies by J. Kenneth Brody
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy