Destination Casablanca

Exile, Espionage, and the Battle for North Africa in World War II

De: Meredith Hindley

Narrado por: Matthew Waterson

This rollicking and panoramic history of Casablanca during the Second World War sheds light on the city as a key hub for European and American powers, and a place where spies, soldiers, and political agents exchanged secrets and vied for control.

In November 1942, as a part of Operation Torch, 33,000 American soldiers sailed undetected across the Atlantic and stormed the beaches of French Morocco. Seventy-four hours later, the Americans controlled the country and one of the most valuable wartime ports: Casablanca.

In the years preceding, Casablanca had evolved from an exotic travel destination to a key military target after France's surrender to Germany. Jewish refugees from Europe poured in, hoping to obtain visas and passage to the United States and beyond. Nazi agents and collaborators infiltrated the city in search of power and loyalty. The resistance was not far behind, as shopkeepers, celebrities, former French Foreign Legionnaires, and disgruntled bureaucrats formed a network of Allied spies. But once in American hands, Casablanca became a crucial logistical hub in the fight against Germany -- and the site of Roosevelt and Churchill's demand for "unconditional surrender."

Rife with rogue soldiers, power grabs, and diplomatic intrigue, Destination Casablanca is the riveting and untold story of this glamorous city--memorialized in the classic film that was rush-released in 1942 to capitalize on the drama that was unfolding in North Africa at the heart of World War II.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This is a book for historians, not film buffs... Digging deep into military archives in Britain, France and the U.S., Ms. Hindley has produced a scholarly narrative, weaving her way deftly among a large cast of characters, both familiar and unfamiliar... [An] authoritative and entertaining book."—Wall Street Journal

"With its lively storytelling and impressive scholarship, Destination Casablanca succeeds as a thorough and highly engaging chronicle of the French Moroccan theater of war."—Washington Post

"Compulsively readable, deeply engrossing new history... The charmed classic made in Hollywood's dream factories and the granular history recounted in Hindley's superb book fundamentally complement each other, entertaining and instructing us with their timeless tales of political intrigue, moral compromise, acts of courage and cowardice."—New Republic

"A compelling read, packed with a Casablanca-worthy cast of characters and a penetrating look at the inside workings of Vichy France...History buffs will love the colorful stories and the grand geopolitical scheming. But there's enough action, intrigue, and adventure to make Destination Casablanca a perfect beach read."—Foreign Policy

"Hindley delivers what could become the definitive account of Casablanca during World War II... The book should prove indispensable to scholars... Expertly researched and absorbing."—Kirkus Reviews

"Hindley's warm, detailed writing style portrays the determination and resources that America brought to Casablanca, the continuing plight of refugees, the stirrings of Moroccan nationalism, and the moving saga of American singer Josephine Baker's support for a free France. Extensively researched, this account is rife with personal accounts, political and diplomatic insights, and vivid depictions of the military process. Recommended for history buffs who will relish the author's skilled presentation of a little-known theater in World War II."—Library Journal

"Meredith Hindley deftly weaves together a history of the city of Casablanca and the events leading to the Anglo-American invasion and conquest of Northwest Africa in 1942-1943. Fascinating characters such as performer Josephine Baker and writer Arthur Koestler, along with a multitude of refugees, spies, and resistance fighters give her account unusual texture and variety. The military successes were capped by the Casablanca summit conference of Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. A great read."—Richard Breitman, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, American University

Excellent!

Extremely well written. So detailed that you can see the scenes in your mind. I loved it! Great job Hindley.

A highlight on WWII in North Africa

An excellent narration of a well-researched account on events in Morrocco during WWII. In my opinion it highlights an occurrences of a part of WWII I was not that aware of and also mislead by Hollywood in this regard.

Totally interesting!

This was very interesting! I've seen the movie Casablanca, so this gave me so much of the real history!

Great history

I really enjoyed this book. It’s long but it discusses so many people and stories that I never knew.

Extremely Interesting

The story is exciting especially for non fiction. The intrigue that played out by all the players in North Africa during the war is right out of a spy novel or political thriller.

Enjoyable and informative

The book describes with geat details the events leading to and the aftermath of the American landing in Casablanca during WW2. There is also at the end of the book a comparison between the real Casablanca and that of the movie with the same name. I did enjoy audiobook and learnt many thing I was not aware of. This said, I have to mention two shortcomings:
(1) The Arab population of Casablanca is a missing character: Moroccan Jews are reported, although the main characters are the French living in Morocco, along with other nationalities like Germans, Americans, etc.
(2) Many French name are not read correctly: for instance Charles Noguès is pronounced Nogwé.

Highly detailed book on not well-known aspect of WW2

This book focuses on the role Casablanca and the many people that lived in or traveled/wandered/warred through that city in World War 2. It provided me with many unknown facets, especially related to the French government in Morocco, the role of the resistance, treatment of immigrants and Jews, the influence of Vichy, and the heavy fights that the French army put up against the Americans when these landed in 1942. Especially the latter was new to me, but in 1942 the French and the Allied Forces were certainly clashing hard, primarily because many French still felt obliged to follow the Vichy government.
The main line of the book is clear, sometimes I would have liked it to focus more on the broader war aspects, but -true to its title- it focuses often on local aspects and individuals, occasionally with details that l found slightly less exciting. This is why I rank ik 4 out of 5 stars. I do recommend it to anyone really interested in WW2 in North Africa, but especially if you have already read an overview book on this, e.g. the excellent An Army at Dawn by Atkinson.
Finally, the reading was very pleasant a clear 5*. Overall I give it a 4.5* evaluation, but I can only do that in this written review.

Well Researched History Well Narrated

Excellent read and useful contribution to the history of politics and operations during WWII in North Africa. As a former defense attaché in Rabat, I found it fascinating.

A city of intrigue

I greatly enjoyed this reading. The author has deftly interwoven the lives of politicians, celebrities and spies into a story of the US entry into WWII. Read this and then watch the movie “Casablanca” for a treat.

Beyond Bogart and Bacall

In the run up to the United States entry into World War II, Casa Blanca stood at a crossroads of politics, culture and ideology unmatched anywhere or at any time. This book tells the fascinating stories of the people and events that came rushing together in a critical time and at a critical junction of events. Casa Blanca, the movie, was truer than most know but not nearly as incredible as the actual facts. Any fan of the movie will get great satisfaction from this historical analysis of this place, this time and these people.