Marc Bloch took part in the French Resistance after the German occupation. He was knowledgeable and experienced in the ways of war having fought in World War I. Therefor, his writings are completely valid; he is not another "outside historian" that is looking into the war, but providing his own personal experiences. Bloch wanted to provide an explanation as to how and why France suffered such a swift and humiliating loss to the Germans, from his experiences "behind the scenes". He goes on to explain that the French defeat was not solely at the hand of the military but also due to Frenchmen's outlook towards the war.

Bloch questions where the blame is to be held for the French failure: is it the French government, the military officials, the Army itself, the English? Bloch argues that the majority of the gener

Strange Defeat gives a soldier and a historian's analysis into the swift demise of France. Bloch is quick to point out that a war is not solely on the shoulders of military officials and soldiers. Yet, much of the responsibility is reliant of nation's people and their manner. Maybe the government is responsible for this ineptitude, but the majority of the blame should fall on the evolvement of human nature. Generals and civilians alike were selfish, careless, and complacent when war arrived. No intellectual preparations, no immediate armament, no civilian unity; this was the French basis going into war. For the French, World War II was not a complete war; it was a war of French individuals. And never was self- interest so costly as the French people in World War II. It led to the suppression of the French people and of their culture for three years.

The last chapter, "A Frenchman Examines his Conscience", Bloch provides more of an insight into human interaction, which was the overall basis of the French defeat. To many, it was the opportunity to exploit their own ventures. For the trade unions, the war was seen as a profit gainer, businesses were hiking up war supply prices for their own gain, analogous to the "carpet-baggers" in the American civil war. Also, the French people did not have a full understanding of World War II. To the common laborer, they did not have full insight int

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Approximate Word count = 946
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)