Wartime Captivity in the 20th Century

Long a topic of historical interest, wartime captivity has over the past decade taken on new urgency as an object of study. Transnational by its very nature, captivity’s historical significance extends far beyond the front lines, ultimately inextricable from the histories of mobilization, nationalism, colonialism, law, and a host of other related subjects. This wide-ranging volume brings together an international selection of scholars to trace the contours of this evolving research agenda, offering fascinating new perspectives on historical moments that range from the early days of the Great War to the arrival of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.

Anne-Marie Pathé is Director of the Centre des archives in the Institut d’histoire du temps présent (IHTP-CNRS). Her previous publications include an edition of Jours de guerre. Ma vie sous l’Occupation by Berthe Auroy (co-edited, Éditions Bayard, 2008) and Archives d’une captivité, 1939-1945. L’évasion littéraire du Capitaine Mongrédien (co-edited, Éditions Textuel, 2010).

Fabien Théofilakis, Ph.D, has published several articles and a monograph (Les prisonniers de guerre allemands en France, 1944-1949, Éditions Fayard, 2014) on wartime captivity, among other topics. His forthcoming book project uses Adolf Eichmann’s notes from 1960-61 to revisit his trial in Jerusalem. Since September 2014, he has been a DAAD visiting professor at the University of Montreal and a member of the Canadian Center for German and European Studies.

Helen McPhail is a non-fiction translator specialising in the social history of the First World War period and other conflicts of the twentieth century. She is also the author of The Long Silence, a brief account of civilian life in occupied northern France in 1914-1918.

“The 20 narrowly focused, deeply researched papers, grouped into four thematic parts, include military POWs and civilian internees… Excellent bibliographies.This book adds to, without replacing, previous literature.” • Choice

“The breadth of topics covered in this volume is impressive…there are a number of fascinating out of the box contributions that explore questions few have attempted to ask, let alone answer, in some of the broader POW histories of recent years…Original and illuminating stories told from exciting new perspectives, however, are not the only gifts proffered to the scholar of POW history in this notable volume.” • European History Quarterly

“A readable and versatile treatment of the subject of prisoners of war in the 20th century … [The editors] have undoubtedly succeeded … in assembling inspiring and sophisticated texts and questions.” • H-Soz-Kult

“This is … a very important book, because it presents a very specific review of current research, because it opens up lines of inquiry, and also because it brings together sources and other disciplines so as to enrich the study of this particular category of soldiers.” • La Cliothèque