France on the BrinkA renowned journalist shows us France as never before seen, and the view will chill and electrify anyone who loves -- or loves to hate -- the country that not only defined culture but gave us the word itself. The traditional leader in the arts, letters, cuisine, and fashion, France embodies universally admired ideals of political expression and personal freedom. But France's heritage, combined with its glorious history, has also created delusions of grandeur -- the Gaullist conviction that France will always be an "exception". France today is in crisis. High unemployment, an archaic economic system, a self-selecting governing class unable to handle serious problems, and a debilitating nostalgia for things past are dragging it closer to the brink at the very moment of European unification. Urgent, convincing, and unsparing, this eye-opening look at the world's most complex, seductive, and sometimes infuriating country will give even the most knowledgeable Francophile plenty to think about. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
African Alain Juppé Arabs Balladur bank banlieues became become boss Britain British café called campaign cent centre century Communists Corsican decades Édouard Balladur election electoral Élysée Élysée Palace Énarque Europe European Fifth Republic Finance Minister foreign former France's François Mitterrand French Gaulle Gaullist German Giscard d'Estaing Grossouvre head immigrants Jacques Chirac Jean-Marie Le Pen Jewish Jews later leader Lionel Jospin live Marie-France Garaud Marseille mayor Mégret million francs Ministry moved National Assembly National Front nuclear official organisation Papon Paris party Pelat Pen's Pierre Bérégovoy police political politicians poll Pompidou President presidential Prime Minister regional reported restaurant Roger-Patrice Pelat showed social Socialist street suburbs television told took town unemployment Valéry Giscard d'Estaing Vichy village vote voters wanted wine woman young