On the Brink: The Trouble with France

by JonathanFenby (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2002

  $5.81

  When Le Pen won through to the second round of the presidential elections in April, the eyes of the world turned to France and wondered whether the forces of the extreme right were really alive in Europe again. In this timely book, Jonathan Fenby asks what the future really holds for our nearest neighbour. For centuries France has occupied a unique position in the British, and indeed European, psyche - sometimes as enemy, sometimes as collaborator, but always an object of fascination and opinion. Part of this interest is due to the problems we share - economically, culturally and politically - yet despite the common difficulties France is a country in crisis to a much greater extent than we realise.

  So argues Jonathan Fenby in this excellent survey of the state of modern France. Taking in all the major themes of French identity and exploring how they have been undermined - from agriculture to the motor industry, smoking to fashion - and with acute analysis of recent French political history, Fenby argues that France is a country without direction; a once-great power now unsure of itself and its place in the world.

• Used

  Paperback
  1999

  $3.25

• Used

  Hardcover
  1998

  $4.69

  As Europe binds closer together, and the twin watersheds of monetary union and the Millenium loom, what does the future hold for the UK's nearest neighbour? For centuries, France has occupied a unique position in the collective British psyche - sometimes as enemy, sometimes as collaborator. Part of this interest is attributable to the problems the two countries share economically, culturally and politically. Yet, the author of this study argues, despite the common difficulties, France is a country in crisis to a much greater extent than is realized. In this survey of the state of modern France, the author explores the major themes of French identity, exploring how each has been undermined - from agriculture to the motoring industry, smoking to fashion. With an analysis of recent French political history, Fenby argues that France is a country without direction; a once great power now unsure of itself and its place in the world.