Modern France: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #290

by Vanessa R. Schwartz

A lively and informative short volume that shows that France is not a faded glory but rather a place that has defined and shaped the key issues of our contemporary world, such as democracy and universal human rights, the emergence of a culture of consumerist spectacle, the tensions between nationalism and contemporary multiculturalism, and the role of religion in the modern state.

Genres: History, France, Nonfiction, Cultural

153 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2011

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The work of a keen Francophile, this is a neatly argued long essay that looks at the influence that post-Revolutionary France has had on the modern world as it puts into practice many of the tenets of the Enlightenment, as well as delving into some of the contradictions that lie at the heart of France's current culture (global and local at once, expansive and parochial, perhaps in a way that all the best parts of Europe are). We begin with a description of France's 200th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1989, and move through five chapters that contain discussions of politics, colonialism, religion, technology and even consumerism, which to a large degree the French created.

More cogently presented than some other entries in this series, it gives a sweeping overview of this new "vision" while zooming in every now and then to look at some of the details. France has many ideas about itself and, rather like the enigmatic woman we all know and compare to this most coquettish of nations, wants you to believe in about half of them at any given time. Indeed, it will ensure that you have to respond to those ideas in one way or another, laying down the basic ground rules, which basically state that indifference is forbidden. There are very few stunning or even particularly new insights, but this is indeed a good guide to the state of the Gallic state and its humanist crusade (with all its fatal contradictions) which may or may not continue to define the way we fight for personal rights in the darker crevices of the 21st century.

[Stephen Durrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very smart introduction to contemporary France that emphasizes the importance of the French Revolution to understanding contemporary French political rhetoric, the rise of Paris as the "cultural capital of the world" and the centrality of "culture" to French self-definitions, and, perhaps most intelligently, the French struggle with "multiculturalism" or what they would call "communitarianism." I have lived in Paris off-and-on for almost twenty years and yet learned a great deal from Schwartz's small book. I recommend it to any traveler to France who enrich rather quickly his or her understanding of that most fascinating country.

[Bryce C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Short Introduction books are always a mixed bag. Some are incredibly informative and concise slices of a topic, and some are like this book. While this book is, in its own right, incredibly informative, and by that merit worthy of some degree of praise, it is also deeply flawed. The author clearly has her own biases, and usually doesn't hesitate to let them be known, oftentimes spiraling into only somewhat related tangents. From 20th century treatment of jews, to The National Front, balanced and nuanced critiques are oftentimes overshadowed by mere polemic. Because the topic is so vast, the things brought up in order to paint an image of modern France sometimes are strikingly trivial, and the approach to portraying France seems to be rather scattershot and lacking in cohesion. France and Britain competing over planes, a random mural, and most curiously, a random section describing different types of socialist thought, all have questionable relevance to the culture of modern France, and yet all have fairly substantial sections in this book. It also commits the cardinal sin of being just kind of boring. Informative, educational and occasionally insightful, but mostly just boring.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed V. R. Schwartz's essay on modern France very much. The bright, lively prose; the broad encylopedic knowledge; the obvious enthusiasm and affection for the subject; the acute judgement in balancing specific detail with general insight—all have renewed my own enthusiasm and affection for France.

I read this as part of an effort to gain more background for reading Balzac: my knowledge of the revolution and its aftermath is woefully vague, and so much of La Comédie humaine explores the complexities and intricacies of the politics and history of the first part of the 19th century. This Very Short Introduction helps a little with that project, but goes far beyond my focussed interest, and makes me ambitious to learn much more about post-Balzac France.

[Allan Aksiim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for an overview of demographics, politics and economics. Instead I got esthetics, prosaic style (very French itself at times) and endless references to the French Revolution and its effects on France itself. Also the author seemed to be so pro-France a certain healthy neutrality was lacking. Interesting read regardless, learned someone new facts but not what I was looking for.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"French people have also invoked the human and universal in ways that go beyond using it as an excuse for imperial conquest."
I really enjoyed this little book, written by an author who clearly has a great affection for the culture and history of France, as well as a commitment to accuracy, unflinchingly pointing out both France's failures and successes.

[Jackie Caldwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit boring, especially towards the end. Read a bit like an advertisement for France and some of the information included (again, especially towards the end) seemed a bit… pointless? I feel like the information highlighted in this book could have been picked better. More political information, maybe some stuff about French film. More fun facts, less fluff.

[Amelia G]

i hate rating nonfiction books because the rating system in my head is for fiction but this was a great reading into modern France (wow no way) and the ideological and historical processes that still impact it today

[John Baronian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read more from this series. It was nicely laid out and it is quite short...

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have preferred a traditional, chronological presentation that touched on the main events and personalities.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit overly focused on Paris as opposed to the rest of France, but this was still an interesting little primer.

[Karina Henson · Rating 4 out of 5]

a short and effective introduction to french history and culture. a great starting place for deeper conversations or further research

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems like a summary of France rather than an introduction to it. I much preferred the VSI on Modern China. The most argumentative part of her book, on migration, feels painfully outdated now.

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modern France: A very short introduction deals with the basics of the French mindset and where it stems from. It deals with the intellectual strifes of the French people, with the effects of the crumbling colonial "empire" of the 40s, 50s and 60s and with Paris as a modern and historic capital.

If you want to get a broad overview of what it means to be French or of the modern history of France (starting with the French revolution) you can do a lot worse than with this book.
It is a great introduction to France and not as history-centric as "Japan: A very short introduction" was.

It paints with a very broad brush however and fails to mention some of the more important aspects of 20th century France, choosing to mainly focus on 18th to 19th century France instead.

[Jorvon Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this before going to the Paris Olympics. I wanted to better familiarize myself with French culture. It’s kinda broad. It’s like the first chapter of a larger volume. No serious complaints, but it could have been a little better organized.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely introduction to modern French identity and culture. I particularly enjoyed the sections on how French language is tied up in French identity, and how Paris originated the idea of the city itself as spectacle. The chapter on immigration and identity was also insightful. This is not history, however, and the essays assume acquaintance with the broad outlines and seminal figures (e.g., De Gaulle) of the twentieth century.

[Mills College Library]

944 S3999 2011

[Marshall Smiland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very boring, but contains useful information.