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The Dark Side of France: Thirteen Chapters in the History of the French Far Right
Bloomsbury presents The Dark Side of France by Enda O'Doherty, read by Stephane Cornicard.
A gripping exploration of the French far right, from the Dreyfus Affair to Marine Le Pen and the National Rally, whose candidate is strongly placed to seize the leadership of France.
In The Dark Side of France, Enda O'Doherty brings to life the long history of extreme nationalist, antisemitic and authoritarian politics and ideas in France through thirteen gripping episodes. Beginning with The Dreyfus Affair, which violently divided the country for more than a decade, O’Doherty charts through the outpouring of nationalist passion incited by the First World War, including the assassination of socialist leader Jean Jaurès by a right-wing fanatic. Covering the work of Action Française and its widely admired leader in the 1920s and 30s, this book highlights the immediate and longer-term implications of far-right action, such as the destruction of the elected government and targeting of Jewish socialist leader Léon Blum in 1936.
O’Doherty boldly assesses some of the most notorious moments in modern French history, such as the collaboration with Nazi forces during the Second World War, the OAS terrorists’ resistance of Algerian independence, and their near-miss assassination attempt on President Charles De Gaulle. The political inheritors of wartime collaboration and the OAS movement are alive and well in today’s far-right movements, and after years of political turmoil, France now faces a critical period that will shape the future of the country.
A compelling and disturbing narrative history, this is a journey through the dark side of the republic.
A gripping exploration of the French far right, from the Dreyfus Affair to Marine Le Pen and the National Rally, whose candidate is strongly placed to seize the leadership of France.
In The Dark Side of France, Enda O'Doherty brings to life the long history of extreme nationalist, antisemitic and authoritarian politics and ideas in France through thirteen gripping episodes. Beginning with The Dreyfus Affair, which violently divided the country for more than a decade, O’Doherty charts through the outpouring of nationalist passion incited by the First World War, including the assassination of socialist leader Jean Jaurès by a right-wing fanatic. Covering the work of Action Française and its widely admired leader in the 1920s and 30s, this book highlights the immediate and longer-term implications of far-right action, such as the destruction of the elected government and targeting of Jewish socialist leader Léon Blum in 1936.
O’Doherty boldly assesses some of the most notorious moments in modern French history, such as the collaboration with Nazi forces during the Second World War, the OAS terrorists’ resistance of Algerian independence, and their near-miss assassination attempt on President Charles De Gaulle. The political inheritors of wartime collaboration and the OAS movement are alive and well in today’s far-right movements, and after years of political turmoil, France now faces a critical period that will shape the future of the country.
A compelling and disturbing narrative history, this is a journey through the dark side of the republic.
Audible Audio
Published July 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 30, 2026
This is an interesting new book about the French far-right however it suffers a large number of issues. firstly there is barely any sources in this book which does not make it very credible. secondly, as other reviews show, this doesn't flow well as it is rather 13 separate moments in the history of the French far-right. the book of course never claims to be comprehensive however it could have done better in showing the French far-right was not just active from the Dreyfus affair-1945 and then again from the 1960s. thirdly there is no real coverage of anti-fascism or the large role of the Communist Party of France in fighting fascism. overall id still recommend it for anyone interested in French politics particularly because it still does an ok overview of French politics from the 1960s onwards.
August 22, 2026
Enda O’Doherty traces how reactionary, authoritarian, and ultranationalist currents repeatedly challenged the French Republic.
The French Right stems from the 1789 National Assembly seating arrangements, where royalist defenders of the ancien régime sat on the right. Following Napoleon and the 19th-century regime shifts, reactionaries sought to restore monarchical or autocratic order. Napoleon III’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71) birthed the Third Republic, but also fuelled a bitter, revanchist nationalism wary of democratic institutions.
O’Doherty establishes the Dreyfus Affair (1890s) as the crucible of modern French far-right politics. The wrongful treason conviction of Jewish officer Alfred Dreyfus mobilised a virulent wave of antisemitism, military elitism, and anti-republican passion. It consolidated reactionary elements into organized ideological movements, like Charles Maurras's Action Française.
Nationalist fervour peaked in WWI, marked by the 1914 assassination of pacifist socialist leader Jean Jaurès by a right-wing fanatic. During the interwar period, moderate republicans like Édouard Herriot and Édouard Daladier struggled against anti-parliamentary fascist leagues. When Léon Blum formed the left-wing Popular Front in 1936, the far right directed intense antisemitic hatred toward him, undermining democratic governance.
WWII saw Marshal Philippe Pétain and Pierre Laval replace the Republic with the authoritarian Vichy regime. Under the banner of "Révolution Nationale", Vichy actively collaborated with Nazi Germany, implementing state antisemitism.
Post-WWII decolonisation stirred reactionary anger. When Charles De Gaulle conceded Algerian independence, hardline military elements formed the secret terrorist OAS (Organisation armée secrète). Then Marine Le Pen instituted dédiabolisation—a strategy to soften the party's image, rebrand as the National Rally (Rassemblement National), and transition from extreme fringe to mainstream contender.
O'Doherty illustrates that as the far right stands on the threshold of power, France faces a pivotal juncture that redefines the future of its democratic republic.
The French Right stems from the 1789 National Assembly seating arrangements, where royalist defenders of the ancien régime sat on the right. Following Napoleon and the 19th-century regime shifts, reactionaries sought to restore monarchical or autocratic order. Napoleon III’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71) birthed the Third Republic, but also fuelled a bitter, revanchist nationalism wary of democratic institutions.
O’Doherty establishes the Dreyfus Affair (1890s) as the crucible of modern French far-right politics. The wrongful treason conviction of Jewish officer Alfred Dreyfus mobilised a virulent wave of antisemitism, military elitism, and anti-republican passion. It consolidated reactionary elements into organized ideological movements, like Charles Maurras's Action Française.
Nationalist fervour peaked in WWI, marked by the 1914 assassination of pacifist socialist leader Jean Jaurès by a right-wing fanatic. During the interwar period, moderate republicans like Édouard Herriot and Édouard Daladier struggled against anti-parliamentary fascist leagues. When Léon Blum formed the left-wing Popular Front in 1936, the far right directed intense antisemitic hatred toward him, undermining democratic governance.
WWII saw Marshal Philippe Pétain and Pierre Laval replace the Republic with the authoritarian Vichy regime. Under the banner of "Révolution Nationale", Vichy actively collaborated with Nazi Germany, implementing state antisemitism.
Post-WWII decolonisation stirred reactionary anger. When Charles De Gaulle conceded Algerian independence, hardline military elements formed the secret terrorist OAS (Organisation armée secrète). Then Marine Le Pen instituted dédiabolisation—a strategy to soften the party's image, rebrand as the National Rally (Rassemblement National), and transition from extreme fringe to mainstream contender.
O'Doherty illustrates that as the far right stands on the threshold of power, France faces a pivotal juncture that redefines the future of its democratic republic.
October 11, 2026
Very informative and well written.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews