An American Spectator in Paris
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- 3,99 €
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- 3,99 €
Publisher Description
In his third book on France, the veteran international correspondent Joseph Harriss cautions that it is probably not the country you expect. He explores persistent myths about that complex nation and analyzes its rapidly evolving situation today. What have 70 years of Socialism done to it? Are French culture and cuisine still the gold standard? He ranges from politics—why the French were so disgusted with President Nicolas Sarkozy—to wrenching socio-economic change, from the outsized sway of women to the influence of "les intellectuels." International affairs, including critical scrutiny of the European Union, UNESCO, and NATO, are also covered. The result is a thought-provoking assessment of France today. "Well worth reading to get a better insight into the France that was, what she may become, and why."—Publishers Weekly
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This is certainly not the France of quiet visits to wine country or the Paris of the b teaux mouches, berets, and baguettes. Veteran journalist Harriss (The Tallest Tower: Eiffel and the Belle Epoque). {aris correspondent for tohe American Spectator, has lived in France long enough to spot the desperate changes that are taking place. His insights into the character of the French come from years of observation demonstrated by this series of published columns on Framce's culture, politics, and global relations. He has no fear of placing blame. The first problem was Mitterrand's success in making France "the most socialist country in Western Europe." The second is the subsuming of national economy in the EU. The real villain at the end is the euro. He makes no attempt to disguise his disdain for the common currency, not to mention NATO and UNESCO. The France that was, tightly integrated culturally, ethnically, and religiously, is faces an identity crisis posed by millions of Muslim immigrants from North Africa whose integration, Harriss says, was badly handled by Nicolas Sarkozy. The author explains the French psyche easily with columns on subjects as diverse as Chartres Cathedral, Vietmam, French cuisine, Tocqueville, and the National Front party. His fear for France is real and palpable. It is a sad book, but well worth reading to get a better insight into the France that was, what she may become and why.
