An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

493. Lee Miller: Exposing the Horrors of World War Two

September 11, 2024

Description

It’s August 1944: the Liberation of Paris is underway, and France appears to slowly be extricating herself from Nazi control. But, on the French western shores, in Saint-Malo, the deafening sounds...
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Books Referenced

Grim Glory, Pictures of Britain Under Fire

Author: Ed Murrow

Context:

Explicitly mentioned as a book by CBS war correspondent Ed Murrow, described as 'pro-British propaganda in the Second World War' with photographs by Lee Miller showing Britain during the Blitz.

The Lives of Lee Miller

Author: Anthony Penrose

Context:

A biography of Lee Miller written by her son Anthony Penrose, referenced multiple times throughout the episode as a source for details about her life, including her childhood trauma and later experiences.

Mein Kampf

Author: Adolf Hitler

Context:

Mentioned in the context of a famous photograph showing a GI reading Hitler's book while lying on Hitler's bed in Munich, which 'went around the world' as an iconic war image.

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (in translation)

Author: William Shakespeare

Context:

Mentioned as an item looted from Hitler's retreat - photographer Dave Sherman took 'the complete works of Shakespeare in translation with Hitler's book plate' as a souvenir.

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Author: Patricia Highsmith

Context:

Referenced as a literary comparison when discussing Lee Miller's father coming to Paris to bring her back, described as 'very kind of Dickie Greenleaf in Talented Mr. Ripley' with 'a Patricia Highsmith quality' to the story.