Listen to this audiobook free with a 30-day trial. Go to http://hotaudiobook.com/free Title: A Brief History of FranceSubtitle: Brief HistoriesAuthor: Cecil JenkinsNarrator: Tristan BernaysFormat: UnabridgedLength: 10 hrs and 48 minsLanguage: EnglishRelease date: 01-31-14Publisher: Audible StudiosRatings: 3.5 of 5 out of 59 votesGenres: History, EuropeanPublisher's Summary:When we think of France we often evoke images of fine food and wine, the elegant boulevards of Paris, the chic beaches of St Tropez. Yet, as the largest country in Europe, it is a place of huge diversity. The idea of 'Frenchness' emerged from over 2,000 years of history and it is a riveting story from Roman conquest to the present day.Cecil Jenkins tells the story of the formation of this nation through its people, great events and culture. Through this narrative he charts why the French began to see themselves as so different from the rest of Europe and why, today, they face the same problems of identity as many other nations.Members Reviews:good narrativeThe narrative is shifted heavily towards the description of post De Gaulle presidencies while ancient and mideval histories are breezed through at a speed. Nevertheless it is a review well written and well performed.A fantastic read!Absolutely fantastic crash course in French culture and history from Roman times through the present. Excellent and easy to follow narration of what could otherwise be a dense read, full of interesting and relevant content.Great overview of the historyParticularly enjoyed the entertaining reader. Great overview of history economy an culture of France. Will look for morWould not recommendThis book suffers the typical failings of histories. It speeds past the first two thousand years so fast you can barely pick up anything, then slows to painful sloth for the 20th century to the extent that it becomes mind numbing. There is way too much name dropping of kings and politicians that muddies your ability to comprehend the a actual events.Mostly modern historyI was excited about the appearance on audible of a book on the history of France but potential listeners should be warned that this book has a very modern focus. Although it starts right from pre-history, the speed is very fast and the first world war is reached with less than half the book completed. By contrast there is a hugely detailed discussion of the regimes of recent French presidents. This will appeal to some, but was certainly not what I expected from the title. The narration was good, though not in the very top class.Contact me for any questions: [email protected]