Expostiion of Little Known Story

I didn’t know much (well truthfully – nothing) about the role that Portugal played in the Second World War when I opened Lisbon: War in the Shadows of the City of Light, 1939-45. I found Neil Lochery’s book both engaging, informative, and entertaining. In this volume, Lochery (While Blame Israel 2011; View from the Fence 2006) tells the story of how dictator Antonio Salazar kept Portugal neutral in WWII and left his country relatively intact after the conflict. I found insights into how Salazar dealt with day-to-day management of the country intriguing. Anecdotes revealing how Salazar made decisions and implemented policies are particularly interesting. Certainly, Salazar was a gifted leader in this context. I would have appreciated more discussion of fascism in this context and how Salazar fit into that era. Perhaps Lochery has another book which will shed more light. At any rate, I was well rewarded by reading this book. The narration of Robin Sachs is excellent.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Little known

I am a World War fan and thought I knew all about the first and second World Wars, that is until I read (heard) Lisbon. The story was fascinating. Portugal was lucky to escape the horrors of the 2nd world War, but could well have been entrapped into it. Its refusal to accept the fleeing Jews was indeed very sad and may have left a stigma on the nation. However a very good listen.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

WRONG TITLE NOT ABOUT LISBON

I got this book included in my subscription, if I had paid for it I would have sued under false description. The book opens likening it the story of Casablanca, it is not, it contains little of intrigue or glamor. It is a biography of an evil anti semetic Nazi sympathizing dictator, written by someone who viewed him through rose tinted glasses.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

A remarkable period in the history of Lisbon

I was born in Lisbon and in my youth I still glimpsed the city and times the book refers to.

I felt transported to that epoch, such is the coherence of what I remember and know with the atmosphere recreated by the story and the narration.

I was unaware of some of the details of the planned occupation of the Azores and the gold trade but they certainly seem believable and in line with the known (to me) facts.

To the end the book abandons description and turns judgmental: it would have been a better book without that unnecessary twist.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

great story but the writing could be better

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The writer presented this too much like what I remember history books I read in school. Although the story is great and compelling, it could have been written much better

What did you like best about this story?

learning the story and role of Lisbon during the war; we had visited it this fall

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

If they could learn from Casablanca [good intro but couldn't sustain it]

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

And I thought it was just the Allies who won WW2

While I thought the narrator was very dry and monotone, I found "Lisbon: war in the shadows of the city of light" to be a very interesting book. I had no idea how much a player th neutral Portugal had been, on both sides, during WW2. The port city of Lisbon was major hub for european refugees headed for North America and Palistine as well as locally mined tungstan bound for Nazi Germany. The cafes and casinos were full of spies, celeberties, and royal ex-patriots and seemed alot like the real life version of the movie Casablanca. As much as I did enjoy this book, I did find it tragic that the Portugese Government was able to profit to the degree it did off of the suffering of others.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

great book

What did you love best about Lisbon?

book is easy to listen to. very interesting in its narrative. It portrayed Mr Salazar in a very interesting light, certainly an immensely smart man that dealt with both warring sides with great diplomacy and tact and was able to keep Portugal safe. He describes in a very entertainng way the intricacies of the relationships taking place during the war,

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

It’s about Salazar

I was looking for a more general impression of this interesting and important way station on the way for thousands to reach America and freedom. The book was interesting but centered on the struggle of the leader, Prime Minister Salazar (dictator) had in trying to stay neutral in WWII so he would not be invaded by the axis powers.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

INTERESTING

This book is about politics and money to be made during a war and in this case WWII.
I started listening and eventually finishing the book hoping that it would be more about rescuing Jewish refugees.
I had read that Portugal was a safe haven for the Jews escaping the Nazis.
An interesting fact, not mentioned in this book, but I had read it elsewhere.
I am a lover of classical music.
Claude Frank was a Jewish pianist. When he was in his early teens his family tried to escape Hitler, via Portugal.
While in Lisbon, awaiting transport to the USA a Beethoven piano recital was scheduled for an official function. The pianist, who was designated to play, canceled. Claude was asked to fill in. He did and was a tremendous success.
The family eventually got passage on a ship to the USA, with a stop over in Cuba, where he and fellow Jews where put in a camp, awaiting papers to enter the USA. They were the lucky ones.
Claude Frank became a virtuoso.
I am lucky to have the few CDs available of his performances.
This whole story has nothing to do with the review of this book, but it is interesting and I was hoping that the author had addressed some “escape” stories.
I gave it 4 stars for the effort of all involved, JK

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

A Sideshow That Played A Major Role in WWII

Portugal and its capital Lisbon were neutral during WWII. Despite this, Portugal played a major part in some of the key dramas, escapees from the pending Holocaust, wartime profiteering and asset/gold looting. The author paints a very interest scene of what a decadent wartime city of intrigue and deception Lisbon was. This is an area of history that has been largely neglected. I found it highly engaging and informative. Excellent narration.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile