The Course of French History [Hardcover] Pierre Goubert

Pierre Goubert; Maarten Ultee [Translator]

ISBN 10: 0531150542 / ISBN 13: 9780531150542

Published by Franklin Watts, 1988

About this Item

First edition. VG+/VG. Very light wear to jacket which is in a clear protective sleeve. Spine partially sunned. Book is in excellent condition with minimal wear. Interior is clean. No writing or markings of any kind. Ships wrapped in bubble wrap and packed with care in a box.

Seller Inventory # 102023-07

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Course of French History [Hardcover] Pierre Goubert
• Publisher: Franklin Watts
• Publication Date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0531150542
• ISBN 13: 9780531150542
• Binding: hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 29 ounces

About this title

Synopsis

This one-volume history traces the social and economic evolution of France as a nation from the founding of the monarchy in 987, to the present day. Against a broad background of structural change, Goubert's accounts of such key events as the Carolingian Renaissance, the Hundred Years War, the reign of Louis XIV, the French Revolution, the rise and fall of Napoleon, the two World Wars and the era of De Gaulle, together with his colourful portraits of the personalities who influenced these events, seek to bring the turbulent course of French history to life. His perspective is a popular one and his interpretation emphazises how political events and famous people affect the nation as a whole. This synthesis of approaches creates a balanced survey which combines broad chronological scope and a detailed examination of the leading personalities and events of the period, with a "history from below" analysis. This rich interpretative approach is enlivened by Goubert's distinctively animated and forceful narrative. This book should be of interest to students and teachers of history and French studies from introductory level upwards.

Reviews

An eminent French historian's version of French history from 987 to the present, this compact account is written in a delightfully entertaining style. It's a panoramic view, from the plague to Joan of Arc to Napoleon to De Gaulle. The monarchs are taken one by one, but in general there is more social and economic than political history. With so much compression, there is occasional loss of intelligibility; Goubert genially acknowledges this with short sections given headings like "Eight Wars And As Many Truces, With Even More Massacres." But those who don't know French history will learn a lot, and those who do will enjoy Goubert's comments. Recommended. Nancy C. Cridland, Indiana Univ. Libs., Bloomington
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.