Larry Collins

Larry Collins (1929-2005) was an American journalist and author best known for writing dramatic historical narratives in collaboration with Dominique Lapierre. His most acclaimed work was Is Paris Burning? (1965), co-authored with Lapierre, which detailed the 1944 liberation of Paris during World War II. The Collins-Lapierre partnership produced several other successful works including O Jerusalem! (1972), about the creation of Israel, and Freedom at Midnight (1975), chronicling India's independence from British rule. These books were characterized by extensive research and a blend of historical accuracy with narrative storytelling techniques. Before his literary career, Collins worked as a journalist for United Press International and later became Paris bureau chief for Newsweek. During this period, he developed the investigative skills and European connections that would later prove valuable in his historical research. Collins also wrote several solo novels, including Fall from Grace (1985) and Black Eagles (1995), though these were less commercially successful than his collaborative works. His final book, Tomorrow Belongs to Us (2000), explored contemporary terrorism themes.

Readers praise Collins' thorough research and ability to make historical events read like thrillers. On Goodreads, readers frequently note his talent for weaving personal stories into major historical narratives, particularly in "Is Paris Burning?" and "O Jerusalem!" What readers liked: - Deep archival research with first-hand accounts - Clear explanations of complex historical events - Balance between factual accuracy and engaging storytelling - Multiple perspectives from different sides of conflicts What readers disliked: - Dense detail can overwhelm casual readers - Some find the pacing slow in middle sections - Solo novels lack the depth of collaborative works - Occasional political bias noted in Middle East coverage Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Is Paris Burning?: 4.2/5 (14,000+ ratings) - O Jerusalem!: 4.3/5 (8,000+ ratings) - Freedom at Midnight: 4.4/5 (7,000+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.5/5 across major titles, with readers consistently highlighting the books' documentary-like attention to detail.

O Jerusalem! - A detailed account of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the birth of Israel in 1948, based on extensive research and firsthand accounts.

Is Paris Burning? - Chronicles the liberation of Paris in 1944 and Hitler's orders to destroy the city during the final days of Nazi occupation.

Freedom at Midnight - Documents India's independence from British rule in 1947, including the partition and its aftermath.

The Fifth Horseman - A novel about a Libyan leader threatening to detonate a nuclear device in New York City.

Fall from Grace - A spy thriller set during World War II involving the D-Day invasion preparations.

Black Eagles - A novel about CIA operations in post-Soviet Russia during the 1990s.

Maze - A thriller about international terrorism and a plot to assassinate the Pope.

Tomorrow Belongs to Us - A narrative exploring modern terrorism and its global implications.

Or I'll Dress You in Mourning - The biography of Spanish bullfighter El Cordobés and his rise from poverty to fame.

Mountbatten and the Partition of India - An examination of Lord Mountbatten's role in India's independence and partition.

Joe Maphis - He was a pioneering country guitarist who mentored Larry Collins and influenced The Collins Kids' sound. His mastery of fast picking techniques and instrumental compositions made him a pivotal figure in country music's development.

Carl Perkins - He pioneered rockabilly music in the 1950s with his blend of country and rhythm & blues styles. His guitar work and songwriting for Sun Records paralleled The Collins Kids' era and approach.

Gene Vincent - He led the Blue Caps and created influential rockabilly music during the same period as The Collins Kids. His guitar-driven sound and early rock and roll recordings shared similar energy and style with Collins' work.

Johnny Burnette - He fronted the Rock and Roll Trio in the 1950s and helped define the rockabilly sound. His guitar-heavy arrangements and dynamic performances aligned with the musical direction of The Collins Kids.

Link Wray - He developed innovative guitar techniques and helped establish the power chord in rock music during the 1950s. His instrumental work influenced guitar players across rockabilly and early rock and roll.