France Since 1945

In France Since 1945, Robert Gildea illuminates France aspect by aspect: “Grandeur [on the world stage], Jacobin centralism, Gaullism, [and] anti-cericalism are all elements that have defined French history and french identity”—to which add her mission civilisatrice and her cult of intellectuals, also importantly discussed. Whereas Rod Kedward’s La Vie En Bleu tends toward chronology and endless shifting acronyms, Gildea’s work does better focused as it is on big identity themes. Gildea is a keen observer of social as well as economic structures. He does not approach national myths as things to be dispelled though he admits they may delude as well as unite a people. Most laudably, Gildea recognises the preservation of French culture into the twenty-first century as a “great achievement,” which it most certainly is.France rebounded after every 20C defeat. Caught between superpowers under de Gaulle, she played one off the other rather than submit, allying herself with Russia as a counterweight to the Anglo-Saxon powers. Crushed militarily in 1940, France retained her own nuclear deterrent and great power status, leading the way in arms development and export. Wounded by the loss of Algeria, she maintained an African and Pacific presence and reached out to la francophonie, France’s answer to The Commonwealth. Faced with competition from U.S. media, French chanson, still priding itself on its poetry, and, even more so, French cinema, second only to the U.S., lost marketshare but never creative momentum. It is for these reasons, among others, that France is still France—and Gildea convinces us that that is so.Gildea is a clear-minded recent historian of ideas and nicely sorts out the various strands of what graduate students call “French Theory.” Regarding language, Sartre saw words as transparent, but structuralists saw them as opaque, themselves shaping reality. Lacan applied structuralism to the subconscious whereas Foucault brought history back into theory. And so forth. I was surprised to learn 68ers were against structuralism. As for the sociology of the intellectual, Gildea interestingly explains it is a “peculiarly Gallic” invention: nowhere but in France have intellectuals been so glorified or held so distinctive a position in society: very publicly engaged with issues yet somehow untainted by politics. Recently, intellectuals have declined as a species, owing to our schooling only to be cogs and the “democratisation” of high culture; we are all less interested in high questions and just less easily impressed.Gildea also does a notably good job explaining the crucial unity of the French state, its being one, secular, and indivisible. While Les Anglo-Saxons celebrate their junkyard of mixed-up or conflicting ethnicities, France remains, even now, where not racist, united in support of assimilation of all foreigners in France—or “integration,” as the same is more “correctly” called in our countries. The removal of hijabs at lycée, for instance, is still strictly enforced: no overt displays of religion or ethnicity. On the other hand, strangely to us given the foregoing, it is unthinkable that a person of another colour might be treated less well: égalité ensures fraternité. As Gildea admits, the relationship between the individuality of the French and the intolerance of the French has yet to be understood—perhaps even by the French themselves. This issue calls out, I think, for further interesting contemplation.

Considering what is in the news today (Charlie Hebdo), it is hard to overstate the contributions of Islam to France's social issues. The post-colonial age for France and the immigration issues alongside the bureaucratic l'etat and a near out-of-control military validates the books premise that to understand the modern French, the interplay of state history, cultural history, the attachment to their national identity, language, and secular customs allows one to understand some of the unusual foreign policy choices Frances has made, and to understand where some of the major challenges in French society lie. While I am sure there are more authoritative works in native French; this is a fine topical introduction to the issues of post-war France in English.

A swift and detailed history of France by Gildea which tackles the main areas of French history since the end of the Second World War.Gildea touches on all aspects of France from political and economic concerns through military and diplomatic areas, to covering the impact of French 'identity' on the progress of it's own history. Some very intriguing details on the Vichy regime and how traitors were dealt with in post-war France are one highlight of the book itself. Gildea also goes further in analyzing the role of the 'Resistance' in French history and dismantles the myth of it's 'untouchability'.However, one of the most entertaining and educational factors of Gildea's work is the emphasis he puts on the role of French identity and the French belief in their own unique contribution to civilization. According to the author, the French have seen themselves as a beacon of liberty and freedom, and this has been severely challenged by their role in their African colonies, especially Algeria. Gildea also centres on the concept of 'assimilation' of non-French immigrants into French society and how this has impacted on the French self-image.Much more to discover and this is an excellent introduction to anyone interested in France.

A comprehensive, balanced review with a compelling thesis, this is an indispensable work for an understanding of contemporary France from a leading Oxford academic

Really enjoyed this book as it cover all the major events in France after the war. Thankfully it covered not just political events, but the major changes in French culture, prosperity, and attitude (including the special status of their farmers in the national psyche). I really enjoyed reading this book, and would certainly recommend it to anyone curious but not too familiar with the French.

A quick run through of an extensive period. I would have like to read more of the post war rebuilding of France. ( we hear much of D Day but little of rebuilding) . Th early chapters dealing with the Vichy Regime are most interesting .

Arrived quickly, no damages, very impressed with this product