The Shortest History of France

From Asterix to Zidane, The Shortest History of France charts over two millennia of eventful and surprising history.

The romantic boulevards of Paris, the sublime art of Renoir and Monet, the delights of haute couture and grande cuisine—what could be more quintessentially French? Yet even a humble breakfast of café au lait and croissants can tell a global tale of trade and empire, war and revolution. Colin Jones leads us on a tour of France across the centuries that takes in the cultural highlights of the Grand Siècle and the age of Voltaire as well as the darker side of French history, from the grim legacy of the Crusades to the guillotine’s long shadow. Along the way he explores the historic tension between xenophobia and tolerance that continues to shape the nation today.

Enlivened by dozens of maps and illustrations, this is a timely, accessible and eye-opening history of our nearest neighbour by one of the world’s foremost experts.