France

An introduction to the history and importance of fashion in French society. (more)

An introduction to the history and importance of fashion in French society. (less)

"With the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815, the next two centuries for France would b... (more)

"With the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815, the next two centuries for France would be tumultuous. Critically acclaimed historian and political commentator Jonathan Fenby provides an expert and riveting journey through this period as he recounts and analyzes the extraordinary sequence of events of this period from the end of the First Revolution through two others, a return of Empire, three catastrophic wars with Germany, periods of stability and hope interspersed with years of uncertainty and high tensions. As her cross-channel neighbor Great Britain would equally suffer, France was to undergo the wrenching loss of colonies in the post-Second World War era as the new modern world we know today took shape. Her attempts to become the leader of the European Union was a constant struggle, as was her lack of support for America in the two Gulf Wars of the past twenty years. Alongside this came huge social changes and cultural landmarks, but also fundamental questioning of what this nation, which considers itself exceptional, really stood--and stands--for. That saga and those questions permeate the France of today, now with an implacable enemy to face in the form of Islamic extremism which so bloodily announced itself this year in Paris. Fenby will detail every event, every struggle, and every outcome across this expanse of 200 years. It will prove to be the definitive guide to understanding France."--Provided by publisher. (less)

"Relevant images match informative text in this introduction to France. Intended for students in kindergarten through th... (more)

"Relevant images match informative text in this introduction to France. Intended for students in kindergarten through third grade"--Provided by publisher. (less)

Culture Smart! France provides essential information on local attitudes, beliefs and behavior. This concise guide will t... (more)

Culture Smart! France provides essential information on local attitudes, beliefs and behavior. This concise guide will tell you what to expect and how to behave. This inside knowledge will enable you to avoid embarrassing faux pas, feel confident. It explains how French life and business work and shows you how to fit in as a foreigner. (less)

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"A wholly original history of France, filled with a lifetime's knowledge and passion-by the author of the New York Times... (more)

"A wholly original history of France, filled with a lifetime's knowledge and passion-by the author of the New York Times bestseller Parisians. Beginning with the Roman army's first recorded encounter with the Gauls and ending in the era of Emmanuel Macron, France takes readers on an endlessly entertaining journey through French history. Frequently hilarious, always surprising, Graham Robb's France combines the stylistic versatility of a novelist with the deep understanding of a scholar. Robb's own adventures and discoveries while living, working, and traveling in France connect this tour through space and time with on-the-ground experience. There are scenes of wars and revolutions from the plains of Provence to the slums and boulevards of Paris. Robb conveys with wit and precision what it felt like to look over the shoulder of a young Louis XIV as he planned the vast garden of Versailles, and the dangerous thrill of having a ringside seat at the French revolution. Some of the protagonists may be familiar, but appear here in a very different light? Caesar, Charlemagne, Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte, General Charles de Gaulle. This extraordinary narrative is the fruit of decades of research and thirty thousand miles on a self-propelled, two-wheeled time machine (a bicycle). Even seasoned Francophiles will wonder if they really know that terra incognita on the edge of Europe that is currently referred to as "France.""-- (less)

Is there any question why France is the most visited country in the world? Celebrated on July 14th each year, Bastille D... (more)

Is there any question why France is the most visited country in the world? Celebrated on July 14th each year, Bastille Day is a festival that true Globetrotters want to experience. Then of course there is nothing quite like the Cannes Film Festival, which is one the most prestigious and publicized film festival in the world. Next, no trip to France is complete without visiting Paris, not only one of the world's leading business and cultural centers, but also arguably the most romantic city in the world. Here we learn the real stories of famous French artists Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir and singer Edith Piaf. Leaving the city for the Pyrenees and Alps mountains we observe the oldest cycling race in the the world, the Tour De France, which dates back to 1903. (less)

Through his documentary films and photography, Raymond Depardon is known as one of the great chroniclers of contemporary... (more)

Through his documentary films and photography, Raymond Depardon is known as one of the great chroniclers of contemporary France. In FRANCE, he takes a new approach: he mics his trailer, installs cameras pointed at a small table by the window, then invites strangers to come in and have a conversation with each other. The participants range in age from their teens to their 80s: couples, friends, parents, children. An immensely compelling documentary, FRANCE plunges us unfiltered into the lives of a wide range of people we would not otherwise encounter. (less)

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