A Traveller's History of France (Traveller's History - 4th ed.) [Paperback]

Robert Cole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997 | Series: 4th ed

The Traveller's History series is designed for the traveller who feels they need more historical background information on the country in which they are staying than can be found in an ordinary guidebook. For those who want to look deeper and discover more about the roots of France, its history and culture, in an enjoyable read, this is the book to choose. Designed for easy reference it is the key to unlocking the secrets of France. If you want to find about the mysterious Merovingian kings or the results of the last election; if you want to know when Chartres cathedral was built or how Napoleon rose to power or when and where Princess Diana died - you'll find it all in A Traveller's History of France. 'Undoubtedly the best way to prepare for a trip to France is to bone up on some history. The Traveller's History of France by Robert Cole is concise and gives the essential facts in a very readable form.' The Independent 'This little book is a very good idea indeed, a running commentary on the complexities, triumphs and tragedies of French history from the Lascaux Caves to the Pompidou centre. A must for tourists who want to know what happened where.' The Birmingham Post 'A brilliant idea from Gloucestershire publishers Windrush: a series of books which give a potted history of European countries. Ostensibly aimed at holidaymakers, the first on France, is an excellent introduction for anyone who wants an idiot's guide to a history that has so often intertwined with our own.' The Oxford Times

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Undoubtedly the best way to prepare for a trip to France... [It] is concise and gives the essential facts in a very readable form. The Independent (London) France comes alive in the pages of this book, helping transform the tourist into a traveller... Cole transports the reader back through France's long and tumultuous history in a manner which keeps one engrossed in the unfolding tale... This is the book for any potential traveller... Small Press -- Small Press --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Professor Robert Cole is Professor of Modern British and European History at Utah State University in America and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and has lectured at British colleges and universities. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Interlink Pub Group Inc; 4th edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566562228
• ISBN-13: 978-1566562225
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,609,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick & Dirty, July 14, 2004

By 

Randall L. Wilson "Randy Wilson" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Traveller's History of France (Paperback)

When I travel I like to read the historic markers and understand the significance of what I am seeing. If I don't have a clue about the context ("the what dynasty was when?") I tend to feel lost and frustrated. Typically, I don't have the time in the weeks before my trip to digest an eight volume history of a country but would like a high level view of the important people, periods and events in the country's history. "A Traveller's History France" perfectly fit that bill.

Some of the features I liked are a list of all the French kings and their linneage, a timeline with all the relevant events and an alphabetical list of major events and battles. The writing is lucid, succinct as well as funny and opinionated. In this kind of book its important to convey a sense and a feel of entire century in the space of a paragraph and to stay connected to the larger political and social themes imbedded in the historical minutae. Robert Cole does this quite well.

The biggest negative for me is that half the book focuses on the last two hundred years and that is the period of French History I know best. I would have enjoyed more of a discussion of the rise of the monarchy, the British influence in France because of the various invasions and a richer discussion of the religious wars in the 16th and 17th centuries.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short history of France, January 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Traveller's History of France (Traveller's History - 4th ed.) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for pre-trip reading or to include on your trip if you have space as you'll refer to it frequently. France for the general reader, not the French History expert.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Prep Work, January 18, 2005

By 

Gracie (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Traveller's History of France (Traveller's History - 4th ed.) (Paperback)

A useful book that is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in France's history. A good introduction to an enormous topic - it serves the purpose. However, if you are looking for a detailed, in depth, insightful history of France or a guide book, this is not the book to buy... and it doesn't claim to be.