La Belle France: A Short History

I wasn't expecting this to be the ultimate French history book. I wanted something that would give me a good overview and help me appreciate the numerous plaques and statues around Paris. Sometimes I wish he spent more time on the juicy parts but then the book would be twice the size.

Having lived in France for a few years, and loved it, this is a fantastic book. Truly, I could not put it down. Like a reviewer below, I noticed a needless mistake: LBJ did not withdraw from 1970 presidential election (there was none that year), it was 1968. But really, it made no difference in the essentials. Excellent, spell-binding book.

It could be argued that without France there would not have been a successful American Revolution. The battle fought by Admiral de Grasse with the British prevented Cornwallis from escaping Yorktown (Cornwallis was not so bad a general that he went to Yorktown without a plan to get out). Frenchmen, both at sea and with Washington's army died for the American revolution. Americans died in turn at Chateau-Thierry and then at a beach called Omaha. You would think that this history would bind two countries together. But as Dr. Horne says, 'France ... goes on ...pursuing her own unique path -- sometimes inspiring, sometimes infuriating, but never boring.' Not boring indeed. French history includes the Revolution, Napoleon, all the wars with Germany, the Communists, the socialists, and more. This book, written by an Englishman who was partially educated in America, is a history of France. It covers 2,000 years from the days of Julius Caesar splitting Gaul into three regions until the death of Mitterrand in 1996. I would have liked to see it continue just a few more years into the supposed sale of munitions to Iraq in exchange for lower priced oil in direct contradiction to the UN rules, but perhaps that's another book.

An excellent one volume history of France written by a recognized expert in that field. The principal factors shaping the history of France from the Roman occupation under Caesar to the administration of President Francois Mitterand are stylishly presented. The cultural history is given a significant place in the narrative. In addition to Alistair Horne's fine text, the book itself is beautifully produced with excellent illustrations. In an age where too many books are shoddily made, "La Belle France" is an outstanding example of publishing quality.

For anyone seeking a model of how a good historical narrative should be done, go no farther than Horne's FRANCE:this is how it's done. It is humorous, informative, maintains an agreeable pace, and does not burden the reader with a nuisance ideological overflow. The breadth of knowledge and use of quality sources is impressive (Tuchman, Schama...), but the highlight is the subtle and sometimes not so subtle one and two line zingers. What is most impressive is Horne's marvelous command of flow and detail while still maintaining cogence in the grand sweep of French history. One of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time, the momentum is established on the first page and never falters.