This work, intended to commemorate the centenary of the Entente Cordiale in 2004, examines aspects of Anglo-French relations since the late eighteenth century when both Britain and France were pre-eminent great powers at war with one another through to the post-Second World War period when both had become rival second class powers in the face of American and Soviet dominance. The chapters in this book examine and illuminate the nature of the Anglo-French relationship at certain periods during the last two hundred years, both in peacetime and in war and include political, economic, diplomatic, military and strategic considerations and influences. While the impact of Anglo-French relations is centred essentially on the European context, other areas are also considered including the Middle East, Africa and the North Atlantic. The elements of conflict, rivalry and cooperation in Anglo-French relations are also highlighted whether in peace or war. This book was previously published as a special issue of Diplomacy and Statecraft.

Republished for the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, this new edition of Best of Enemies gives an entertaining and perceptive overview of Anglo-French relations. Updated to include the Anglo-French disagreements over the second Gulf War, this is an extensively revised edition of a book that was widely praised when it first appeared in 1995. Robert Gibson gives a lucid and lively account of the love-hate relationship between the English and the French that has lasted for more than a thousand years. Richly illustrated with cartoons from both sides of the Channel, this intelligent and well-documented study will appeal to anyone interested in the history of English and French relations. Reviews of the previous edition "Best of Enemies is a thoroughly absorbing - and at times hilarious - study of 800 years of hostilities and misunderstandings between our nations." Tom Hibbert, The Mail on Sunday "Copious quotation plus a pleasingly crisp style combine to make this a very attractive and readable volume. Just the thing to consult en route to the gnte." Michhle Roberts, The Independent "This is a readable and scholarly enhancement of the understanding of our diplomatic and military history over nearly a thousand years." Alan Clark, The Daily Telegraph "[A] highly readable account of Anglo-French relations over the past millennium . the perspectives Gibson offers are welcome and timely." A.C. Grayling, The Financial Times

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A series of limiting definitions have tended to delineate the Franco-British cinematic relationship. As this collection of essays reveals, there is much more to it than simple oppositions between British critical esteem for the films of France and French dismissal of ‘le cinéma British’, or the success of Ken Loach et al. at the French box office and the relative dearth of French movies on British screens. In fact, there has long been a rich and productive dialogue between these two cultures in which both their clear differences and their shared concerns have played a vital role. This book provides an overview of the history of these relations from the early days of sound cinema to the present day. The chapters, written by leading experts in the history of French, British and European cinema, provide insights into relations between French and British cinematic cultures at the level of production, exhibition and distribution, reception, representation and personnel. The book features a diverse range of studies, including: the exhibition of French cinema in Britain in the 1930s, contemporary ‘extreme’ French cinema, stars such as Annabella, David Niven and Jane Birkin and the French Resistance on British screens.