France

Polity Histories

by Emile Chabal

France is the most-visited country in the world. It attracts millions of tourists, most of whom come in search of beautiful architecture, good food, and fine art. But appearances can be deceptive. France is not only a place of culture and glamour; it also carries the bitter memories of violence, division and broken promises.

In this arresting book, Emile Chabal, a leading specialist of contemporary France, tells the story of a paradoxical country. From the calamitous defeat by Hitler's armies in 1940 to the spectacular gilets jaunes protests, he explores the contradictions that have shaped French history over the last eighty years. The picture that emerges is one of a nation struggling to reconcile its core political values with the realities of a diverse society.

Listen to the author talk about the book with Roxanne Panchasi on the 

Genres: France, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published December 7, 2020

Reviews

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a historian of France I absolutely devoured this book. I wish I had owned it as an introduction before I ever started to study the topic!

The premise of paradox sets each of the chapters up excellently, and every one of them is incredibly informative on its own. If you are looking for an introduction to French history, and how the French view their own history and Nation, you could not hope to find a more interesting and readable book than this one.

[Emily Monaco]

This pocket-sized book is positively brimming with excellent analysis of what makes the French tick. Predicated on the innate paradoxes of France and the French, it explores in six distinct chapters France's chief values, digging deep into the history, for example, of the right-left divide, the illusion of grandeur Charles de Gaulle sought to project in a post-World War world, or the importance of republicanism, while also threading in modern political and social analysis of the ways in which France is changing in an ever-globalizing world. I particularly loved the astute way in which Chabal showed that many of these changes are not pure globalization but actually exist within the greater framework of what has long created tension among the French, and in particular, his exploration of the gilets jaunes movement affords some deft analysis rendered in a time when the protests were still ongoing. A must-read for anyone who is curious about why the French are the way they are.

[Liz H · Rating 5 out of 5]

France is an engaging and insightful exploration of the political, social, and cultural forces that have shaped modern France.

Emile Chabal skillfully examines the nation's evolution from the aftermath of World War II to the challenges of the twenty-first century, highlighting the tensions, contradictions, and aspirations that continue to influence French society. His clear and accessible approach makes complex historical and political developments both understandable and compelling.

Overall, it is an excellent read for anyone interested in French history, politics, European affairs, and the ongoing struggle to reconcile national ideals with social realities.