The Cambridge Illustrated History of France (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) - Hardcover

Jones, Colin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521432944 ISBN 13: 9780521432948

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1994

Combining superb illustration with authoritative text, this is a major political and social history of France from earliest times to the eve of the new millennium. Colin Jones offers not only an expert's account of political, social and cultural developments, but also a fresh and full interpretation of French history. The Cambridge Illustrated History of France places an innovatory emphasis on the importance of issues of regionalism, class, gender and race in the French heritage. Ranging across social, political, geographical and cultural lines - from prehistoric menhirs to the Pompidou Centre, from Louis XIV's Versailles to twentieth-century high-rises, from Marie Antoinette to Marie Claire - the author provides a host of lively and penetrating new insights into the shaping of the modern nation.

Review:

'Authoritative, well-written, solidly thought through, this book, which has no equivalent in recent writing about French history, should reach out beyond the British Isles to the English-speaking world in its entirety.' Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie

'An awesome range of topics ... the book is a veritable tour de force.' French Cultural Studies

'Good one-volume histories of France are not all that common, and after this one they might well become less so. This is because it is hard to see how it might be bettered ... this book will be the obvious starting point for years to come for anglophones everywhere who want to know about the history of France.' French Studies

Book Description:

A gripping, superbly illustrated account of the political, social and cultural history of France. Colin Jones places emphasis on the impact of regionalism, class, gender and race in French heritage, and takes us through the shaping of France from the earliest times to the brink of a new millennium.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0521432944
• ISBN 13: 9780521432948
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352