French History: A Captivating Guide to the History of France, Charlemagne, and Notre-Dame de Paris

by Captivating History

If you want to discover the captivating history of France, then keep reading... Free History BONUS Inside! Three captivating manuscripts in one History of A Captivating Guide to French A Captivating Guide to the Greatest Monarch of the Carolingian Empire and How He Ruled over the Franks, Lombards, and RomansNotre-Dame de A Captivating Guide to One of the Most Famous Catholic Cathedrals of Medieval EuropeFrance has influenced the course of history in Europe and the world for centuries. Considered one of the world’s most beautiful countries and home to some of the world’s most visited tourist locations, France has enthralled and fascinated the people who’ve discovered that, in many ways, the history of France encompasses both the good and bad in the human character. The French have rightly prided themselves on their food, fashion, painting, sculpture, theater, films, and literature, among much else. The names Escoffier, Saint-Laurent, Monet, Rodin, Moliere, Truffaut, and Voltaire are known throughout the world. The famous Eiffel Tower is recognized as the symbol of France to people in the most remote places of the globe, but there is so much more to the history of France than escargot, wine, Impressionism, and movies. In this book, you’ll learn the history of France and of the French, one of the most fascinating, frightening, and inspiring histories of them all. Some of the topics covered in part 1 of this book The simple facts about France—its population, economy, and geographyThe surprisingly advanced world of the Gauls and their famous leader Vercingetorix, who waged a bloody war against the Romans and Julius CaesarThe great emperor Charlemagne, who created the largest and strongest military and the greatest empire after the fall of Rome and who was also the first “Holy RomanThe legendary Joan of Arc, the teenager who victoriously inspired the armies of France against the English in the 15th centuryThe amazing world of Louis XIV and his beautiful and grandiose Palace of VersaillesThe bloody, inspiring struggle for freedom that was the French Revolution and how it still influences revolutions and politics todayThe brilliant Napoleon Bonaparte, the Corsican-born “foreigner” who built an empire using the force of his will and who was ahead of his time, enacting military tactics that are still studied today in military academies around the worldThe tragic Franco-Prussian War and how it led to the bloody wars of the 20th century in EuropeFrance’s brave role in World War IThe tragedy of WWII, the French Resistance, and collaborationThe internal struggles of France since the end of the Second World WarAnd much more!Some of the topics covered in part 2 of this book Before the Great KingRise to PowerSibling RivalryTo the Pope’s RescueThe One DefeatThe Burning of the Sacred PlacesMore ConquestsAn Empire RisesAnd much, much more!Some of the topics covered in part 3 of this book Before Notre-DameThe Construction of a CathedralA Curse and a CoronationThe First Ransacking

Genres: History

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2021

Reviews

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating History is offering three of their books about the Franks and Charlemagne, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the History of France. The French have a rich history and these are three very interesting aspects of that history.  Jason Zenobia reads this history of France without a stutter or a stammer over the fascinating array of French and other names.
HISTORY OF FRANCE --In 1940, a group of boys found the Lascaux cave paintings. There was human life in Gaul 15,000 to 17,000 years ago. Large people migrations traveled across Gaul before and after the arrival of the Romans.
Captivating History highlights some of the most important people to affect Gaul/France, such as Vercingetorix, Charlemagne, Joan of Arc, and the French kings, particularly Louis XIV. Through Louis XIV's excesses and the kings that followed him, the reader gets a good understanding of the causes and activities of the French Revolution. Of course, a chunk of the book covered Napoleon and his wars. Napoleon had a profound effect; he ended the French Revolution, created the Napoleonic Code of Laws (used in Louisiana to this day), and changed feudal Europe in several ways with his emphasis on freedom and social equality.

The Industrial Revolution did not start in France but they quickly jumped on the bandwagon because of the increased prosperity. There was a revival of French arts and culture because of the stability in the country. As Germany formed into a single country and suddenly emerged as an aggressive country in Europe, France worried. Then, the author showed how World War I began. But I found most interesting to be the analysis of France between the wars. 
 The final chapters dealt with World War II and its aftermath. I vaguely remember Charles de Gaulle; he was much more important than I ever dreamed. The photos and maps helped explain some of the discussions. However, "Illustration 55: Oradour-sur-Glane, France" was the most evocative. The city sits as it did on the date following the massacre of 600 civilians by the Germans. This book concentrates on the highlights and major points of French history.
CHARLEMAGNE --  Charlemagne is a difficult man to categorize because he was all over the map with his accomplishments and efforts. Although not the first ruler of the Carolingian Dynasty (he was the third), he was a strong ruler and conqueror who was often called the Father of Europe. He ruled for 47 years and spent much of that time conquering rebelling tribes and regions. However, he also worked to stabilize the currency, encouraged reading, and competent administration. He also changed the relationship between kings and the Catholic Church. He became a protector of the Catholic pope. For this, he was eventually crowned as Holy Roman Emperor.   

NOTRE DAME --
  The story begins with the fire of April 15, 2019. Then, the majestic beauty that is this ancient church seems to step back and allow her mind to wander -- through her great and glorious past. Then the story returns to the fire. However, in the previous chapters, the author has explained why Notre Dame means so much to Parisians, the French, and the world. She is a symbol of hope. Beautifully written and read.