Journalist at The New Republic for thirty-six years, the young retiree Bruno Mascle has just come out Indre, summer 1944 to the editions La Bouinotte. In this book, our former colleague has compiled articles published this summer in your favorite regional daily but has also supplemented his remarks with new chapters.
What was the genesis of this book dedicated to the Liberation of Indre?
“I have written articles published in The New Republic throughout the summer of 2024, from June 6 to September 13, or around forty episodes, approximately. The idea was to mark the 80th anniversary of the summer of 1944, of the Liberation which was particularly lively and violent in Indre, the only department in France to have liberated itself, at the end of August. 1944.”
“This could make a lovely, clever Christmas present.”
What does it mean to celebrate this anniversary today?
“Today I am retired from The New Republic which is a newspaper from the Resistance, it was therefore symbolic to mark the occasion. With everything that is happening today, it was very important to remember where we all come from, collectively, and to take into account the sacrifice of our great-grandparents who, for many, gave their lives for the liberation of this country and this department in particular. »
Was it complicated to gather the material – documents, testimonies, photos – to write these articles and then this book?
“No, finally there are still people alive, I still managed to question witnesses from that time and actors who were Resistance fighters. There is also extensive documentation and many books have already been written on the subject. I was also able to benefit from the contribution of local historians, such as Jean-Luc Stiver and Jean-Louis Laubry who helped me a lot in my research. Afterwards, it consists of usual research work, in media libraries and archives. You have to search, search. I especially focused on collecting first-hand accounts, things that had not already been written. »
Why this book for La Bouinotte after the series of articles in the NR?
“These are the readers of the NR many of whom said to me: “Why don’t you make a book about it?” ” As I had already been published at La BouinotteI simply went to knock on their door and the idea quickly caught on. During the summer we knew that we would turn it into a book. The idea was to release it before Christmas. This can make a lovely, clever Christmas gift. »
“L’Indre, summer 1944”, by Bruno Mascle, in partnership with the editions of La Bouinotte. €22. The author will be at a signing session at the Arcanes bookstore, Wednesday December 4, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a conference. Saturday, December 7, in the morning, he will be at the Cousin-Perrin bookstore, in Blanc; in the afternoon, at the book fair at the Château de Chabenet, and Sunday December 8, at the Écueillé book fair.
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