The Trial of Madame Caillaux

If you think the O.J. trial was "The Trial of the Century" and said a lot about 1990s America, you should read Edward Berenson's study of 1914 France. I have used this book for class assigned readings and students, beyond the O.J. comparison, have, like myself, found this book to be a compelling, fascinating account of why, on the eve of WWI, the French found more to be at stake in this case. That a society woman defends herself in charges of murder by using mainstream assumptions of gender, that she was too feminine to have intended to kill, will cause many to question the use and significance of gender constructions. Does Madame Caillaux deserve her fate? Berenson lets you be the judge. It's defintely a thought-provoking, enjoyable read. A well-crafted work of microhistory, where the proceedings of the trial form the external structure, but a longer history of the Belle Epoque informs our understanding of each day's events and our assessment of the "star" of the day. This book can be savored by a wide audience, which is why I have had community college students read it.