A History of France

About this book

John Julius Norwichcalled a true master of narrative history by Simon Sebag Montefiorereturns with the book he has spent his distinguished career wanting to write A History of France: a portrait of the past two centuries of the country he loves best. Beginning with Julius Caesars conquest of Gaul in the first century BC this study of French history comprises a cast of legendary charactersCharlemagne Louis XIV Napoleon Joan of Arc and Marie Antionette to name a fewas Norwich chronicles Frances often violent always fascinating history. From the French Revolutionafter which neither France nor the world would be the same againto the storming of the Bastille from the Vichy regime and the Resistance to the end of the Second World War A History of France is packed with heroes and villains battles and rebellion stories so enthralling that Norwich declared I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed writing a book more. With his celebrated stylistic panache and expert command of detail Norwich writes in an inviting intimate tone and with a palpable affection for France. One of our greatest contemporary historians has deftly crafted a comprehensive yet concise portrait of the countrys historical sweep.