France: An Illustrated History (Illustrated Histories

by Lisa Neal

The number of travelers France welcomes each year is as great as its population-some sixty million. They arrive to experience not only the latest fashions in clothing, art, and cuisine, but also the vestiges of a past that encompasses a half million years. Among these vestiges are Neolithic cave paintings, Roman villas and temples, medieval cathedrals, and royal chateaux. This concise volume outlines French history from prehistoric times to the twenty-first century. The diverse themes discussed include the relations of France with its neighbors, the ever-present tension between national unity and regional autonomy, the role of the Catholic Church, and developments in public works and education. In order to lend this vast panorama a more human face, the author gives special attention to the life of at least one individual in each major era.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France

228 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2000

Reviews

[Alice Wulf · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book BLOWS.

Like, thanks for all the info about state of public sanitation in the Middle Ages, but how can you NOT COVER THE CRUSADES? Or the Norman Conquest? Stop with the shitty black and white pictures, and give me some actual important goddamn information.

Let it be known that I'm only 100 pages in, but I am already very sure of my rating. I wouldn't be sticking this book out if it wasn't required reading for my French Art & Society class.

[Pony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used this book to teach as a last minute choice, but couldn't stick with it. Despite its personalized and lighthearted overview of French history that makes it very readable for students, its purview is far too limited and its lacunae far too extensive in too many crucial ways (for instance: zero mention of French colonialism? Seriously?) When all is said and done, it's better for students to read Wikipedia.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent basic history for anyone who has no knowledge of France ' s history. I was a bit taken back by how much lesser subjects were covered while other major events got maybe two pages at the most. I understand the author meant the book to be brief but not even two to three pages on Napoleon or a brief mention of the Hundred Years War was unacceptable. This is especially when you consider that she gave much more mention to Voltaire then either of those two combined.

[Lin_P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise overview of France from prehistory to the close of the 20th Century.