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A History of France
André Maurois raconte l’histoire de France comme on l’a rarement lue. Sous sa plume lumineuse, les personnages historiques prennent vie, leur caractère, leurs passions, leurs succès et leurs échecs font toute la chair des événements qui, peu à peu, ont construit la France. Dans un style aussi clair que synthétique, ce récit nous fait comprendre « pourquoi la France devint la France ». Rédigé aux heures les plus noires du XXe siècle, alors que les Français doutaient d’eux-mêmes, il propose l’histoire réjouissante, positive et glorieuse d’une Nation jamais achevée. Véritable chef-d’oeuvre oublié, l’ Histoire de la France , rééditée ici pour la première fois depuis plus de cinquante ans, s’impose comme un classique à transmettre entre générations. André Maurois (1885-1967) est l’auteur de nombreux romans et de biographies d’écrivains qui ont rencontré d’immenses succès et lui valurent d’être élu à l’Académie française en 1938. C’est lors de son exil aux États-Unis pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale qu’il écrivit cette Histoire de la France .
560 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1953
28 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
André Maurois
1,088 books254 followersAndré Maurois, born Emile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog, was a French author. André Maurois was a pseudonym that became his legal name in 1947.
During World War I he joined the French army and served as an interpreter and later a liaison officer to the British army. His first novel, Les silences du colonel Bramble, was a witty but socially realistic account of that experience. It was an immediate success in France. It was translated and also became popular in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries as The Silence of Colonel Bramble. Many of his other works have also been translated into English (mainly by Hamish Miles (1894–1937)), as they often dealt with British people or topics, such as his biographies of Disraeli, Byron, and Shelley.
During 1938 Maurois was elected to the prestigious Académie française. Maurois was encouraged and assisted in seeking this post by Marshal Philippe Pétain, and he made a point of acknowleging with thanks his debt to Pétain in his 1941 autobiography, Call no man happy - though by the time of writing, their paths had sharply diverged, Pétain having become Head of State of the Nazi-collaborationist Vichy France.
During World War II he served in the French army and the Free French Forces.
He died during 1967 after a long career as an author of novels, biographies, histories, children's books and science fiction stories. He is buried in the Neuilly-sur-Seine community cemetery near Paris.
During World War I he joined the French army and served as an interpreter and later a liaison officer to the British army. His first novel, Les silences du colonel Bramble, was a witty but socially realistic account of that experience. It was an immediate success in France. It was translated and also became popular in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries as The Silence of Colonel Bramble. Many of his other works have also been translated into English (mainly by Hamish Miles (1894–1937)), as they often dealt with British people or topics, such as his biographies of Disraeli, Byron, and Shelley.
During 1938 Maurois was elected to the prestigious Académie française. Maurois was encouraged and assisted in seeking this post by Marshal Philippe Pétain, and he made a point of acknowleging with thanks his debt to Pétain in his 1941 autobiography, Call no man happy - though by the time of writing, their paths had sharply diverged, Pétain having become Head of State of the Nazi-collaborationist Vichy France.
During World War II he served in the French army and the Free French Forces.
He died during 1967 after a long career as an author of novels, biographies, histories, children's books and science fiction stories. He is buried in the Neuilly-sur-Seine community cemetery near Paris.
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September 29, 2023"Tato epocha je smutná, krutá a zmatená jako všechny, jimiž končí staré pořádky, kdy jsou lidé ponecháni napospas vášním." (str. 25)
***
(král Filip Sličný:) "Byli jsme donuceni razit peníze, jimž se možná nedostávalo váhy a kovu peněz našich předchůdců..." Vyskytli se i soukromí penězokazi, takové však král nechal zaživa uvařit. Má-li být zločin nevinný, musí se ho dopustit stát.
***
"To, že jsou v Bordeaux, považovali tehdy Angličané za takovou samozřejmost, za jakou dnes považují fakt, že jsou v Bombaji; obyvatelé Bordeaux to považovali za takovou nesamozřejmost, za jakou to mají obyvatelé Bombaje." (citace pochází z textu napsaného před osamostatněním Indie.)
***
Středověk nebyl temnou a barbarskou periodou mezi dvěma oslnivými obdobími, antikou a renesancí. středověká civilizace je právě naopak jednou z oněch velikých civilizací, jež člověku přinesly mravní a sociální rovnováhu a daly vznik nejskvělejším uměleckým dílům Západu. Atény, Řím, Byzanc či Alexandrie nesporně kdysi dosáhly takové kulturní úrovně, na jakou Paříž XII. století nemohla ani pomyslit, avšak k tomu, by tyto dávné civilizace ještě mohly přinést plody, bylo zapotřebí nových roubů. A originalita francouzské civilizace spočívala v tom, že dokázala přetavit a sloučit prvky Středozemí s prvky barbarskými. (str.57)
***
„Vynález“ knihtisku jsme si zvykli připisovat patnáctému století. Avšak vývoj od egyptských cihel po Gutenberga byl nepřetržitý. Kodex, který s koncem římské říše dostal podobu dnešní knihy, začal nahrazovat pergamenový svitek. Myšlenka tisknout několik exemplářů stejného textu pomocí písmen vyrytých do špalíčků dřeva byla v Číně známá už dávno. Nového významu nabyla v patnáctém století díky několika okolnostem: nálezy množství antických rukopisů, rozvoj univerzit, zájem o vyprávění z dalekých cest.
To, co nazýváme „vynálezem knihtisku je pouhé spojení dvou novinek: užití jednotlivých liter, které sazeč sestaví a posléze rozmetá, a vynález liter kovových, které lze odlévat ve velkém množství. Tyto myšlenky se připisují Vavřinci Costerovi z Haarlemu a Johannu Guttenbergovi z Mohuče. Ať tak či onak, od roku 1455 vznikají nádherné knihy, a když se knihtisk v roce 1470 objevuje v Paříži, začína pozvolna měnit politický život, protože napomáhá utváření a informovanosti veřejného mínění.
(str. 93)
***
Jakmile umírněný konzervatismus narazí na revoluční fanatismus, proměňuje se vlivem směsice strachu a zklamání v reakci. A každá reakce je krutá. (str. 126)
***
***
(král Filip Sličný:) "Byli jsme donuceni razit peníze, jimž se možná nedostávalo váhy a kovu peněz našich předchůdců..." Vyskytli se i soukromí penězokazi, takové však král nechal zaživa uvařit. Má-li být zločin nevinný, musí se ho dopustit stát.
***
"To, že jsou v Bordeaux, považovali tehdy Angličané za takovou samozřejmost, za jakou dnes považují fakt, že jsou v Bombaji; obyvatelé Bordeaux to považovali za takovou nesamozřejmost, za jakou to mají obyvatelé Bombaje." (citace pochází z textu napsaného před osamostatněním Indie.)
***
Středověk nebyl temnou a barbarskou periodou mezi dvěma oslnivými obdobími, antikou a renesancí. středověká civilizace je právě naopak jednou z oněch velikých civilizací, jež člověku přinesly mravní a sociální rovnováhu a daly vznik nejskvělejším uměleckým dílům Západu. Atény, Řím, Byzanc či Alexandrie nesporně kdysi dosáhly takové kulturní úrovně, na jakou Paříž XII. století nemohla ani pomyslit, avšak k tomu, by tyto dávné civilizace ještě mohly přinést plody, bylo zapotřebí nových roubů. A originalita francouzské civilizace spočívala v tom, že dokázala přetavit a sloučit prvky Středozemí s prvky barbarskými. (str.57)
***
„Vynález“ knihtisku jsme si zvykli připisovat patnáctému století. Avšak vývoj od egyptských cihel po Gutenberga byl nepřetržitý. Kodex, který s koncem římské říše dostal podobu dnešní knihy, začal nahrazovat pergamenový svitek. Myšlenka tisknout několik exemplářů stejného textu pomocí písmen vyrytých do špalíčků dřeva byla v Číně známá už dávno. Nového významu nabyla v patnáctém století díky několika okolnostem: nálezy množství antických rukopisů, rozvoj univerzit, zájem o vyprávění z dalekých cest.
To, co nazýváme „vynálezem knihtisku je pouhé spojení dvou novinek: užití jednotlivých liter, které sazeč sestaví a posléze rozmetá, a vynález liter kovových, které lze odlévat ve velkém množství. Tyto myšlenky se připisují Vavřinci Costerovi z Haarlemu a Johannu Guttenbergovi z Mohuče. Ať tak či onak, od roku 1455 vznikají nádherné knihy, a když se knihtisk v roce 1470 objevuje v Paříži, začína pozvolna měnit politický život, protože napomáhá utváření a informovanosti veřejného mínění.
(str. 93)
***
Jakmile umírněný konzervatismus narazí na revoluční fanatismus, proměňuje se vlivem směsice strachu a zklamání v reakci. A každá reakce je krutá. (str. 126)
***
October 14, 2019
Rad up to the Hundred Years' War for essay. The history of France was shown to us here in not only an informative, but captivating way of storytelling. Will definitely continue later on with the rest when I have the time.
October 7, 2017
A survey of French history through 1960, this is an exceptionally well-written book, credit for which must be given not only to M. Maurois, but also to translators Henry Binsse and Gerard Hopkins. Compressing a couple thousand years of history into 572 pages will necessarily mean that the reader will find the treatment of some historic episodes inadequate or unsatisfying, but that should be taken as an invitation to more study rather than as an indictment of the historian. In this book, M. Maurois has done a fine job of presenting the history, and keeping it lively. The lessons French history teaches us are especially urgent these days.
Although he explains his reasons for doing so, in my judgment the author spends too much time on the years 1945-60. This section of the book was written for later editions (the original book having been published in 1948) and it has not aged as well as the original text.
The author writes as a Frenchman, unashamedly proud of his country. Some contemporary readers may find that off-putting. Others may find it refreshing.
The author calls the history of France "a lasting miracle...more dramatic than that of other countries." Whether that conclusion is justified or not, without doubt there is plenty of drama to be found in this history.
Although he explains his reasons for doing so, in my judgment the author spends too much time on the years 1945-60. This section of the book was written for later editions (the original book having been published in 1948) and it has not aged as well as the original text.
The author writes as a Frenchman, unashamedly proud of his country. Some contemporary readers may find that off-putting. Others may find it refreshing.
The author calls the history of France "a lasting miracle...more dramatic than that of other countries." Whether that conclusion is justified or not, without doubt there is plenty of drama to be found in this history.
December 27, 2016
Jedna z mojich najoblubenejsich knih o historii pocas strednej skoly. Je to pomerne citatelna synteza francuzskych dejin. Mozno jej chyba obsiahlejsi poznamkovy aparat, prehladnejsie clenenie a podobne, ale pre kazdeho, kto sa zaujima o dejiny Francuzska je podla mna vybornym uvodom do problematiky.
December 30, 2007
A good history book. That and it's twin (England) are what got me started on reading history books.
April 15, 2018
Excellent.
February 2, 2018
Recording and clearly relaying the entire history of a people, nation, or country is a monumental task which must be weighed when considering a review for a book of this type. To his credit, Maurois completed this challenge with a high degree of success. He is clear and insightful, and not afraid to challenge accepted historical interpretations for his own (should I say 'progressive'?) opinion; not necessarily academic, but grounded in deep knowledge and a sure feeling for the structure of things.
The book starts strong and concise, piecing together the missing links between Gaul, Roman Gaul, and Charlemagne over a thousand+ year period. We learn the origins of the mixed group we've come to call the "French," and how these people lived, traded, communicated, and kept Rome alive long after the fall of the Empire. This was easily my favourite part of the book.
The Middle-Ages become a bit muddled with a too-great focus on the activities of the monarchy and nobility and too-little attention given to the mass of common folk whose lives are infinitely more interesting and fundamental to the story of France. How did they live? What did they think? We are teased with the answer to these questions but not enough to satisfy.
Lastly, the modern era oscillates endlessly between periods of monarchy, revolution, and republic, where Maurois focuses solely on the political situation at the expense of the fascinating social forces at work and stirring the 150-year pot of the French Revolution. Countless names get single casual mention before steaming on to the next, with no explanation (or at least with an implied knowledge on the reader's part) as to their significance. Paris is the star of this period, and we learn nothing of the changes throughout the rest of the country.
Despite these shortcomings, the structure of the chronology remains strong throughout and it serves as a moderately in-depth introduction to French history that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The book starts strong and concise, piecing together the missing links between Gaul, Roman Gaul, and Charlemagne over a thousand+ year period. We learn the origins of the mixed group we've come to call the "French," and how these people lived, traded, communicated, and kept Rome alive long after the fall of the Empire. This was easily my favourite part of the book.
The Middle-Ages become a bit muddled with a too-great focus on the activities of the monarchy and nobility and too-little attention given to the mass of common folk whose lives are infinitely more interesting and fundamental to the story of France. How did they live? What did they think? We are teased with the answer to these questions but not enough to satisfy.
Lastly, the modern era oscillates endlessly between periods of monarchy, revolution, and republic, where Maurois focuses solely on the political situation at the expense of the fascinating social forces at work and stirring the 150-year pot of the French Revolution. Countless names get single casual mention before steaming on to the next, with no explanation (or at least with an implied knowledge on the reader's part) as to their significance. Paris is the star of this period, and we learn nothing of the changes throughout the rest of the country.
Despite these shortcomings, the structure of the chronology remains strong throughout and it serves as a moderately in-depth introduction to French history that I thoroughly enjoyed.
March 14, 2017
This is a pretty good, if dated, introduction to the history of France. It was first published in 1949 so it only just hints at post-war France. I admit to getting a bit lost between the various kings and their strengths and weaknesses - even a month after finishing the book the various kings and the strengths, weaknesses, successes and failures are all jumbled in my head. But that's probably inevitable. Worth a read.
April 21, 2017
Admittedly it has been thirty plus years since I read this. And as such I remember it not well. I do remember that it read well, hence the stars allotted. What I think I remember about it is that Maurois passes over the reactionary, the 'White' Terror 'in silence.' I might need to go back to it. Not generally available as it is, that will be a task.
June 8, 2009
Best history of France I have ever read.
February 22, 2013
Very informative, and I love Maurois' subtle sense of humour.
December 1, 2013
Úžasný román o francozské historii, alespoň vím, co všecno nevím.
November 19, 2020
Начинается книга отлично. Факты, фото артефактов, красочные описания, легкий слог. Автор проводит параллели и связи между римской империей и теми, кто остался жить на ее руинах. Средние века - ещё более-менее. Реформация, Король-солнце и вплоть до революции - читаются без отторжения. Хотя временами, мне казалось что патриот или дипломат в Моруа очень обтекаемо и политкорректно обходил острые углы в политике и личностях Валуа и Бурбонов. Про религиозные войны я ожидала больших подробностей.
Дальше мне катастрофически не хватило структуры, распределения по шкале времени и пояснений про кучу странных имён, которых до этого я не слышала. Франция нового времени, да и новейшего - это каша и чехарда из переворотов, революций и смен странных правительств со странными именами. Минимум про экономику, немного про культуру. Которой автор кстати так восторгается, как будто Франция - центр солнечной системы.
Не понравились оценочные суждения и недооценки в адрес России. Моруа, кажется, гордится тем, что русским накостыляли в крымскую войну (хотя от Севастополя взяли только южную часть), нехотя признает пользу от России в первой мировой. И практически игнорирует роль СССР (не России!) во второй мировой. Ещё и укоряет, что не вняли русские призывам Франции к осторожности в делах Германии. Поверхностные и субъективные суждения.
Про колонии ожидала большего.
Прочитаю остальные книги трилогии из интереса. Но в качестве основного источника по истории Франции книгу точно использовать не стоит
Дальше мне катастрофически не хватило структуры, распределения по шкале времени и пояснений про кучу странных имён, которых до этого я не слышала. Франция нового времени, да и новейшего - это каша и чехарда из переворотов, революций и смен странных правительств со странными именами. Минимум про экономику, немного про культуру. Которой автор кстати так восторгается, как будто Франция - центр солнечной системы.
Не понравились оценочные суждения и недооценки в адрес России. Моруа, кажется, гордится тем, что русским накостыляли в крымскую войну (хотя от Севастополя взяли только южную часть), нехотя признает пользу от России в первой мировой. И практически игнорирует роль СССР (не России!) во второй мировой. Ещё и укоряет, что не вняли русские призывам Франции к осторожности в делах Германии. Поверхностные и субъективные суждения.
Про колонии ожидала большего.
Прочитаю остальные книги трилогии из интереса. Но в качестве основного источника по истории Франции книгу точно использовать не стоит
March 2, 2019
A good overview history, though marred by two faults. The first is a consequence of having to cover over a millenium, that of being rather a gloss, a glide over a deeper history. Often references to writers, philosphes, and artists are made which if one did not already know who they are, the allusions would be meaningless. The second is Maurois straight male chauvinism leading to offensive homophobic and misogynistic characterizations of historical figures that were completely unwarranted. He disses homosexual men as "effeminate" and thus lacking in all moral character, implying that to be like women... Twice he stated that 19th Century Republic voters enjoyed "universal suffrage", clearly telling us that he didn't recognize women as being part of "universal". When he did mention when women won the vote in post war times, he uses the term "given the vote", not "won the vote". This tells me that his history is very likely distorted by dismissing the role of women and is certainly distorted by his disdain for LGBT people.
September 23, 2021
3 stars
It's really difficult to rate such a book because in not really a novel. I read books for entertainment and this is basically like an encyclopedia. But I liked the way how informative it is and over the course of more than 400 pages I got to know about most of the history of France. I might've not paid attention at all times but some things stuck up on me. The book has a bit of trouble or I'm not really sure how to call it because it may not exactly be a trouble, it's from the point of view. This books focuses 99% of the time on politics in not always an interesting way. And I know it can be written interestingly because I've read historical non-fiction before. On the other hand, it's a good source to come back to and definitely if I'll need anything to school, I'll read it in this book. I'm glad I've finally finished it after three months.
It's really difficult to rate such a book because in not really a novel. I read books for entertainment and this is basically like an encyclopedia. But I liked the way how informative it is and over the course of more than 400 pages I got to know about most of the history of France. I might've not paid attention at all times but some things stuck up on me. The book has a bit of trouble or I'm not really sure how to call it because it may not exactly be a trouble, it's from the point of view. This books focuses 99% of the time on politics in not always an interesting way. And I know it can be written interestingly because I've read historical non-fiction before. On the other hand, it's a good source to come back to and definitely if I'll need anything to school, I'll read it in this book. I'm glad I've finally finished it after three months.
February 22, 2019
Когда Томас Венцлова написал путеводитель по Вильнюсу, он сказал: «Моруа не посчитал низким сочинить путеводитель по Парижу, почему я должен стесняться сделать то же?». «Историю Франции» Моруа написал во время Второй Мировой войны. Это чувствуется. Но сколько же он всего переработал! Получилась человеческая, читабельная и запоминающаяся книга. Точная и выверенная, но не педантичная; яркая, но не пафосная.
Тому, кто предположит, что Франция - слишком специально для русского читателя, возражу: Франция сделала современную Европу и задала принципы общественного устройства современного мира.
Тому, кто предположит, что Франция - слишком специально для русского читателя, возражу: Франция сделала современную Европу и задала принципы общественного устройства современного мира.
August 5, 2010
Very well written for a history (non-fiction) book. Captivating!
July 30, 2017
Seems incomplete and lacking analysis
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews