{"product_id":"so-close-to-freedom-a-world-war-ii-story-of-peril-and-betrayal-in-the-pyrenees-hardcover","title":"So Close to Freedom: A World War II Story of Peril and Betrayal in the Pyrenees - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJean-Luc E. Cartron\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDuring World War II many escape-line organizations contributed to the Allied cause by funneling hundreds of servicemen trapped behind enemy lines out of occupied Europe. As the Germans tightened their noose around the escape lines and infiltrated them, the risk of discovery only grew for the servicemen who, in ever-increasing numbers, needed safe passage across the Pyrenees. In early 1944 two important escape-line organizations operated in Toulouse in southwestern France, handing over many fugitives to French \u003ci\u003epasseur\u003c\/i\u003e Jean-Louis Bazerque (\"Charbonnier\"). Along with several of his successful missions, Charbonnier's only failure as a \u003ci\u003epasseur\u003c\/i\u003e is recounted in gripping detail in \u003ci\u003eSo Close to Freedom\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e This riveting story recounts how Charbonnier tried to guide \u003ci\u003ea\u003c\/i\u003e large group of fugitives--most of them downed Allied airmen, along with a French priest, two doctors, a Belgian Olympic skater, and others--to freedom across the Pyrenees. Tragically, they were discovered by German mountain troopers just shy of the Spanish border. Jean-Luc E. Cartron offers the first detailed account of what happened, showing how Charbonnier operated, his ties with \"the Fran oise\" (previously \"Pat O'Leary\") escape-line organization, and how the group was betrayed and by whom. \u003ci\u003eSo Close to Freedom\u003c\/i\u003e sheds light not only on the complex and precarious work of escape lines but also on the concrete, nerve-racking experiences of the airmen and those helping them. It shows the desperation of all those seeking passage to Spain, the myriad dangers they faced, and the lengths they would go to in order to survive. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ePurchase the audio edition.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJean-Luc E. Cartron\u003c\/b\u003e is an adjunct research assistant professor of biology at the University of New Mexico. He is the editor or coauthor of several books, including a biography of his grandfather, a prominent member of the Resistance in western France during World War II. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 256\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.9 x 9.3 x 9.6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 01, 2019\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42166085025927,"sku":"9781640121027","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/7e3ea4bf40f89fbc50069c25efb0a718.webp?v=1733318301","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/so-close-to-freedom-a-world-war-ii-story-of-peril-and-betrayal-in-the-pyrenees-hardcover","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}