From the construction of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower to the Fall of the Bastille and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen to NapolZon Bonaparte's defeat at Waterloo to Albert Camus' L'Etranger and the existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre, France has been a part of some of the greatest and most memorable events in human history. Author Gino Raymond relates the history of these events in the second edition of the Historical Dictionary of France. Through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on kings, politicians, authors, architects, composers, artists, and philosophers, a thorough history of France is presented.

Few nations have such a long and rich history as France. This indispensible volume covers political, economic, and cultural milestones throughout its long and fascinating history. From Gothic cathedrals to rap and hip-hop, France is at the intersection of the worlds of Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and it continues to renew the democratic model of politics. Having weathered the storms of the first half of the 20th century, France has helped to curb the recent global march of right-wing nationalism, while economically France ranks among the U.S., China, Japan, Germany, and Great Britain as one of the most powerful economies in the world. The History of France is up-to-date and concise yet comprehensive, offering a readers a current, narrative history of France. Engagingly written for students and general readers alike, it brings to life the compelling history of this fractious and fascinating country. Chronological chapters examine the history of France through the first year and a half of Emmanuel Macron's presidency. A timeline and appendix of Significant Individuals round out the work.

This work contains much information on a colorful period in history. It will be welcomed in academic and public libraries. Reference Books Bulletin

In this assessment James McMillan moves away from ideologically-based representations of the man to focus on his use of power. He recognises the Emporer as a highly skilled operator who in the face of innumerable obstacles, attempted to conduct an original policy.

"Three years spent in France, during the 'Second Empire' of Napoleon III, gave Henry James an early mastery of the French language and its literature. When he settled in Europe, as an adult, it was not in Britain but, briefly yet crucially, in Paris. This study identifies the 'missing link' in the history of James's literary engagement with France, between Balzac, revered throughout his career, and later French writers. It was Second Empire writers who spurred James's own contribution to the novel. While realism courted official displeasure, culminating in the prosecution of Flaubert's Madame Bovary, and closure of the radical Revue de Paris which serialized it, the conservative Revue des Deux Mondes (to which James subscribed) enjoyed imperial approval. James remained indebted to the authors published in its pages - Edmond About, Victor Cherbuliez, and Octave Feuillet - to his close friend Paul Bourget, and to the era's greatest playwright, Alexandre Dumas fils."