France Today: Life Under the Cutting Edge

Having lived and worked in France for two years now, I believe that Ardagh has provided here an intelligent, straightforward, and none the less affectionate, look at this country. His chapters on Paris, on the education system, the arts, and the frequent governmental crises, are really useful for English-speaking readers trying to orientthemselves to this country and, despite the opinions of other critics, I don't believe his politics unduly distorts his presentation. Although he may play up the significance of May 68 a bit too much for some people's tastes, recent broadcasts and journal articles over here reveal that this event still radiates in French society today. Moreover, a leftist approach doesn't necessarily mean an incorrect approach. Ardagh is not blind to the problems of the social-service or educational sectors and writes with a genuine sympathy for the lives of ordinary people. France may or may not be on the verge of collapse (I don't think it is) but Ardagh provides one of the most incisive examinations of all its perambulations.