La Belle France is a sweeping, grand narrative written with all the verve, erudition, and vividness that are the hallmarks of the acclaimed British historian Alistair Horne. It recounts the hugely absorbing story of the country that has contributed to the world so much talent, style, and political innovation.
Beginning with Julius Caesar’s division of Gaul into three parts, Horne leads us through the ages from Charlemagne to Chirac, touring battlefields from the Hundred Years’ War to Indochina and Algeria, and giving us luminous portraits of the nation’s leaders, philosophers, writers, artists, and composers. This is a captivating, beautifully illustrated, and comprehensive yet concise history of France.
Chapter 1. Beginnings: Caesar to the Capetians
Chapter 2. A Golden Age: Abelard to Philippe-Auguste
Chapter 3. Middle Ages: “Saint-Louis” to Philippe le Bel
Chapter 4. The Second “100 Years’ War”: France Survives and Joins the Renaissance
Chapter 5. Henri II’s Succession: The Wars of Religion
Chapter 6. Henri IV: Good Sense and Good Taste
Chapter 7. Louis XIII: Richelieu to the Fronde
Chapter 8. The Age of Louis XIV
Chapter 9. Louis XV: Towards the Deluge
Chapter 10. The Great Revolution
Chapter 11. The Age of Napoleon
Chapter 12. Restoration and Revolt
Chapter 14. The Belle Epoque and the Road to War
Chapter 15. The Great War and Versailles
Chapter 18. After the Liberation
Chapter 19. The General’s Republic
Chapter 20. Another New Start: Pompidou to Mitterrand