France cover art

France

A History: from Gaul to de Gaulle

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France

By: John Julius Norwich
Narrated by: John Julius Norwich
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About this listen

 A witty history of 2000 years of French history from legendary popular historian John Julius Norwich

I can still feel, as if it were yesterday, the excitement of my first Channel crossing (as a child of nearly 7) in September 1936; the regiment of porters, smelling asphyxiatingly of garlic in their blue-green blousons; the raucous sound all around me of spoken French; the immense fields of Normandy strangely devoid of hedges; then the Gare du Nord at twilight, the policemen with their képis and their little snow-white batons; and my first sight of the Eiffel Tower...This book is written in the belief that the average English-speaking man or woman has remarkably little knowledge of French history. We may know a bit about Napoleon or Joan of Arc or Louis XIV, but for most of us that's about it. In my own three schools we were taught only about the battles we won: Crécy and Poitiers, Agincourt and Waterloo. The rest was silence. So here is my attempt to fill in the blanks...

John Julius Norwich (at 88) has finally written the book he always wanted to write, the extremely colourful story of the country he loves best.

From frowning Roman generals and belligerent Gallic chieftains, to Charlemagne (hated by generations of French children taught that he invented schools) through Marie Antoinette and the storming of the Bastille to Vichy, the Resistance and beyond, FRANCE is packed with heroes and villains, adventures and battles, romance and revolution. Full of memorable stories and racy anecdotes, this is the perfect introduction to the country that has inspired the rest of the world to live, dress, eat -- and love better.

(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Europe France Witty Funny Thought-Provoking Feel-Good

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Critic reviews

Always a warm, welcoming guide, John Julius Norwich takes us on a historical tour of France from its earliest days to the twenty-first century . . . A highly entertaining introduction to a fascinating nation
Norwich romps through French history with lots of good stories: philandering kings, dread plagues and legendary dinners
For his final book, the late Norwich tackled the dauntingly vast subject of two millennia of French history with admirable lightness and urbanity. There is the odd whiff, probably deliberate, of 1066 and All That - "The Capetians had steadily built up France, transforming it from a Carolingian custard into a nation" - and his comic footnotes deserve a review of their own
A richly illuminating work . . . Norwich was a wonderful military historian
Almost the best thing in it is the author's short epilogue, 'The Essence of France', in which he listed what he loved most about that enchanting, if occasionally exasperating, country - its architecture, its painting and its music. These were among Norwich's greatest passions, which he invariably conveyed with authority, charm and wit (Desmond Seward)
A story told with charm and obvious enthusiasm for the subject ... My children constantly ask why the GCSE syllabus cannot be an introduction to British history rather than a somewhat esoteric dive into Weimar, Nazi Germany and Russia. What they want is a comprehensive, approachable and enjoyable survey of the story of our islands - and that is exactly what John Julius Norwich has written about France . . . The attraction of this commendable short history is that it's as entertaining as it is informative, written with fluency, wit and a nicely understated humour: a real pleasure-almost compelling-to read
Norwich treats history like a friendly fireside chat
The tone of France is avuncular, worldly and witty; it is like having dinner with an urbane, well-read uncle.
There is certainly a need for a concise history of France in English and, in many ways, John Julius Norwich is the ideal man to write it . . . Norwich has a love for France that stretches back to his childhood and it is evident throughout this readable, entertaining book.
This warm, delightful short history of France, aimed convivially at the general reader, is his love letter to the country he knew so well
John Julius Norwich's political history of France, which begins with Vercingetorix and ends with Charles de Gaulle in 1945, invites us to admire the giants of the past and even vicariously to share in their triumphs . . . richly illuminating
All stars
Most relevant
A fantastic and engrossing listen. Be sure to know what you are getting into however. As the introduction makes clear, this is not a serious scholarly work. The author very clearly warns of the limitations of this book and that it will of necessity truncate and lack a certain precision. If you cannot live with this, do not buy. If you already know the history of France well, do not buy. On the other hand, if you know only some of French history or know parts but struggle to connect it all in a grand narrative, this could very well be the book for you.

The book is read by the author himself. I found his voice and pronunciation (both English and French) nigh impeccable. He narrates throughout the book as though he is telling you a fond memory of his childhood (which, in the later chapters, he is as he is the son of the first post-war British ambassador to France). He injects a real passion into the storytelling and I have blasted through all 16 hours in just under these days when I planned to take a couple of weeks at least.

All in all, highly recommended , subject to the above, which the author would probably also warn.

A Love letter to France

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Norwich's book is doubtless an excellent introduction to a history of the French monarchy and, later, to the Republic. But the book says little about the development of the French as a people, and even less about French culture or cultures. It is a curiously reactionary work. Norwich's narration is superb and crackles with charm.

Charming yet limited

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One of the best history books I’ve read - and so beautifully performed by the author. What class.

What a wonderful wonderful book

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I thoroughly enjoyed the book and felt that this was how history should be told. hardly filled with dates but with anecdotes and stories. it was also fast-paced enough. not a boring moment.

très intéressant !

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This was a pure joy to listen to. Norwich’s passion for France comes across in his every word. I was so sad to finish this book especially knowing it was his last prior to his death.

I felt like applauding at the end, it was such a wonderful book. Lord Norwich will be much missed by many including myself. If you’ve yet to read anything by him, don’t hesitate in picking this book.

I could listen to the whole thing again and would be in for a real treat.

An absolute tour de force!

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