Historical Dictionary of France

This new and greatly expanded edition of the Historical Dictionary of France describes how France has risen and then declined and why it is still holding its own on the world stage. The dictionary includes entries on rulers and leaders, from the first kings to the most recent presidents and premiers; assorted kingdoms, empires and republics; numerous wars and revolutions; and the transition from absolutism to democracy and an agrarian to an industrial and service-based economy. France's glorious past is examined in detail, but even more attention is paid to the present, with entries on the arts and sciences and significant figures in those sectors, as well as various political institutions and parties. The country's long past is traced in both the chronology and introduction, and a list of acronyms and abbreviations clarifies the players. The select but extensive bibliography is an invaluable tool to guide the readers wishing to pursue their specialised interests.