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France: An Adventure History

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France: An Adventure History

By: Graham Robb
Narrated by: Tom Lawrence
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About this listen

A SPECTATOR and PROSPECT Book of the Year

France: An Adventure History is a profoundly original and endlessly entertaining history of France, from the first century BC to the present day, based on countless new discoveries and thirty years of exploring France on foot, by bicycle and in the library.

Beginning with the Roman army’s first recorded encounter with the Gauls and ending with the Gilets Jaunes protests in the era of Emmanuel Macron, each chapter is an adventure in its own right. Along the way, readers will find the usual faces, events and themes of French history – Louis XIV, the French Revolution, the French Résistance, the Tour de France – but all presented in a shining new light.

Graham Robb does not offer a standard dry list of facts and dates, but instead a panorama of France, teeming with characters, full of stories, journeys and coincidences, giving readers a thrilling sense of discovery and enlightenment. France: An Adventure History is a vivid, living history of one of the world’s most fascinating nations by a ceaselessly entertaining writer in complete command of subject and style.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Graham Robb (P)2022 Macmillan Publishers International Limited 18th Century 20th Century Europe France Modern Thought-Provoking French Revolution Imperialism Middle Ages

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Critic reviews

"Packed full of discoveries." (Sunday Times)

"Ceaselessly interesting, knowledgeable and evocative." (Spectator)

"A rich and vibrant narrative...clear-eyed but imaginative storytelling." (Financial Times)
All stars
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It’s ok but we get that you hate peoples that don’t think like you could have been a better book

Ok but

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Initially I was put off by what seemed to be an academically overly wordy start but slowly the depth of research and the often humorous insights became more evident. For me the insights into the Battle of the Vercour and Tour de France and the Gillets Jaunes protest were the best bits. It’s well worth persevering and as an Englishman living in France it is both a confirmation and illumination of what I know and the country I respect and love.

Depth of research and spread of subjects

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I gave up before the end of chapter one. It’s like someone reading you their laundry list!

Too tedious for words

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