1st Edition

The Course of French History

By Pierre Goubert Copyright 1991
    340 Pages
    by Routledge

    340 Pages
    by Routledge

    This stimulating 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 background of structural change, Goubert etches a vivid account of key events and personalities. His perspective is a popular one, and his main interest is in how political events and famous people affect the nation as a whole. The book incorporates the findings and perspectives of recent monographic studies with clarity and precision, but it is Goubert's own judgements, direct, forceful and iconoclastic, which make this an invaluable text.

    List of genealogies, List of maps, 1. France under the early Capetians: 987–1180, 2. The apogee of medieval France: the thirteenth century, 1180–1314, 3. The misfortunes of the fourteenth century, 4. The fifteenth century: a kingdom reborn from the ashes, 5. The ‘beautiful’ sixteenth century: 1494–1552, 6. Difficult times: 1560–1610 937. From Good King Henry to the Sun King: 1598–1661, 8. The pleasant seasons of a great reign: 1661–1688, 9. Autumn of the great century: 1689–1715, 10. The age of Louis XV: 1715–1774, 11. Louis XVI: 1774–1792, 12. The Revolution during peacetime: 1789–1792, 13. Revolution and war: 1792–1799, 14. France against Europe: the Napoleonic era, 1800–1815, 15. France in the nineteenth century: a panorama, 16. France under Napoleon III: 1851–1870, 17. From debacle to revenge: 1870–1914, 18. From the Great War to the near present (1914–1987), Bibliography, Index

    Biography

    Pierre Goubert

    'This a vivid, perceptive and highly personal piece of writing, excellent as an introductory text which seeks to enthuse the uninitiated.' - Modern & Contemporary France

    'Vivid, entertaining and forceful, it combines the broad sweep of history with detailed examination of the key events and personalities.' - France

    'Elegant, witty and reflective' - The Observer

    'Manages to be sumultaneously pithy and accurate, satirical and dispassionate, summary and all-embracing.' - Literary Review

    'Lively, well-written, satirical and profound.' - Emmanuel Le Roy