Reviewed by Richard Tutin
Black Inc’s latest title in the “Shortest History” series heads for France and its fascinating story. Colin Jones, who has authored several titles on different aspects of French history, has been given the brief to bring this survey to life while at the same time keeping it within the framework as set out by the publisher.
From the outset it should be said that this is not a definitive study. It is though a tantalising offering that covers how France came into being from its tribal beginnings through to the nation it is today. Many readers will be familiar with aspects of French history because it is part of many school and university courses. Celebrations such as Bastille Day are found in various parts of the world including Australia. This includes countries that have little or no connection to France but resonate with the story of the beginnings of the 1789 French Revolution.
Since tourism is very much part of France’s economy, many of us have travelled to Paris and other places to soak up the atmosphere and the culture. Despite the common perception that many individuals are knowledgeable about France, reading The Shortest History may demonstrate how limited our understanding of the country truly is.
Jones’ attention to detail and his ability to tell the story succinctly makes the book a very readable volume. It is, like others in the series, a starting point that invites readers to dig deeper if they wish to do so. Along the way it will remind us of our excursions in the country itself as well as any study we may have done no matter how fleeting it may have been.
Through the book we are reminded of France’s past as well as its present. Though it has had many ups and downs it is still a force on the world stage. The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights was based on the “Declaration of the Rights of Man” published in 1789. France has also been at the forefront of technological and economic endeavours that have influenced the rest of the world.
As well as the positives of France’s contributions to the world stage, Jones is also prepared to discuss the negatives that France has had to face since its founding as a nation. Its colonial past is an example that is still apparent today especially for those who like to visit Tahiti or New Caledonia.
Due to its limited length there is a lot that Jones has not included in this book. It would have been a challenge to make decisions on what to include and what to leave out. This further enhances the need to look for other sources to fill out what James offers us. A small bibliography is provided to give readers a starting point.
France has held the world in its thrall for centuries. Its cuisine as well as its culture have found their way to all corners of the earth. Reading this history, as short as it is, reminds us of France’s tenacity to punch above its weight and remind everyone that it has made a unique contribution to ways in which we live our lives and enjoy what it has to offer.
Colin Jones is Emeritus Professor of History at Queen Mary University of London. He is the author and editor of many works on French history including The Cambridge Illustrated History of France and French Revolutionary Lives.
The Shortest History of France
by Colin Jones
(2025)
Black Inc.
ISBN: 978 1 7606 4448 2
$27.99; 260pp