Occupied Territory. By Polly Peabody. (Cresset Press. 8s. 6d.■ Tins
is far and away the best picture we have yet had of France since the capitulation. Miss Peabody combined an American' freedom to move about much as she wished with a mature judge' ment of people and things. May the book run to many edition' and may the publishers in each successive one correct more and more of the typographical errors that now deface it. Mr. Bullitt, the American Ambassador, is only accorded a- second " t" to' wards the end, and some of the versions of foreign names and quotations will be a joy to collectors. Miss Peabody's boils is shrewd, humorous and forthright. Hers is the tale of as American Red Cross worker who sets out for various EuroPeal destinations, only to find in every case that Hitler had got , there first. France is the country in which she passel . for the longest time—until last Christmas, apparently. Te those who know Paris the description of life there—with in detailed information about the various districts—will be of 01 greatest interest. It is not quite up to date, but a general iris' pression is conveyed and the situation can hardly have than in its essential features. In the boites de nuit the Germans
are guyed without their knowing it, and the whole atmosphere was—and certainly is still—ardently pro-British. Vichy is execrated. There are now two Frances, the one filled with hope, the other with despair. Her descriptions of other countries are equally vivid ; that of Russia is a little saddening.
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