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About France
by Joseph Harriss
Product Group: Book
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (2005-05-20)
ISBN: 0595346952
EAN: 9780595346950
Dewey Decimal #: 306
Paperback: 306 pages
Edition: 0
Release Date: 2005-05-20
SKU: 91608000066
Condition: Very Good
Comments: 0595346952 New, never read, may have minor wear on cover.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
I myself have found France alternately fascinating, endearing, pleasurable, and maddening for the many years that I have been here. Being a Paris-based journalist gave me a privileged observation post, the opportunity to travel widely, to get to know the cities and towns, and to meet and exchange ideas with a great range of French citizens of all socio-economic circles, many of whom have become my friends. If I had to sum up the basic attitude that runs through the French mentality at all levels, it would be a composite of preening pride, often frankly chauvinistic, in being French, and barely concealed dislike, bordering on fear and loathing, of change. As a people they advance reluctantly toward the future, eyes fixed firmly on the past, especially the glorious 17th century of Louis XIV. Noting what he calls his country’s inherent schizophrenia, Denis Jeambar, editor-in-chief of the news magazine L’Express, has written that France “oscillates continuously between pride and resignation, movement and immobility. More than any other European nation, it is characterized by contradictory attributes.” —from the Prologue to About France
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Customer Reviews
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A Boon of a Book
Rating  (4)
Date: 2006-04-20
Travelers, whether just starting out or seasoned, who are planning a visit to France will recognize Joseph Harriss' ABOUT FRANCE to be a boon of a book. Always informative and entertaining, the author's observations approach and explain the attitudes and politics of the French. Any book containing complete chapters committed to champagne, oysters, mustard and vacations make it "my kind of read". In light of recently reported labor law demonstrations by the French youth, the 1968 student demonstrations chronicled in his book are insightful, and uncannily comparable . Traveling to France? ABOUT FRANCE by Joseph Harriss should enhance your journey. Bon Voyage!!!
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That certain "Je ne sais quoi" explored and explained
Rating (4)
Date: 2006-03-23
Had I had the opportunity to read Joseph Harriss' "About France"
before I made my first trip to La Belle France I would have been
better equipped to understand these delightful people and their
ways. Each chapter sheds light on their little idiosyncrasies
(of which there are many)and explains the whys and wherefores that make the French well, "the French." I found each vignette appealing and enlightening. Even if this is a collection of articles once published in magazines, as a whole it is an insightful and amusing compilation of anecdotes of a Nation,her people and their foibles! My own experience of finding a Paris friend at the same address after 40 years would fit right in. When I expressed surprise, I was told, "That's what makes us French so beautiful...we don't like change!" I can't wait to
read Mr. Harriss' book about the Eiffel Tower and look forward
to more from him.
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France Present and France Past
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-02-25
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
An American journalist who has resided in Paris for several decades and married into a French family, Joseph Harriss explains in this highly readable book what makes the French "tick," think, act or refuse to act. "Living in France...often strikes me as living in the world's biggest museum."
Le Tour Eiffel was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Republic for the same reason the Concorde flew, for the glory of France. If it weren't for 'la gloire,' we wouldn't have that magnificent thousand foot tower all lighted up to welcome us to Paris.
Harriss explores French pastimes, their vacations, attitudes, culture, the French resistance of WWII and their most avid passion: politics. They have views of George W. Bush; we have views of Jacques Chirac.
This modern France with whom Americans have had an on and off relationship is discussed with keen incite and humor by someone who has lived there much of his life.
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France Past., Not France Present
Rating  (2)
Date: 2005-11-21
2 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
The book is comprised of a series of articles written by the author as correspondent from France for TIME and various other journals. The most recent was published in 2000, and the others go back to 1968 of thereaboutrs. It depicts France and the French autrefois, not France or the French of today.
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