Fragile Glory: A Portrait of France and the French

By Richard Bernstein

Book Overview

"The most penetrating account of contemporary France we're ever likely to own. In looking for clues to French character, the author explores everything from wine culture to cultural politics, movies, food and the higher eroticism."-- New York Times An enormously entertaining account of contemporary France from the former Paris bureau chief of The New York Times . Bernstein combines personal memoir, informed observation, and news-hound curiosity to offer a stirring and unforgettable panaorama of France--at times exalted, troubling, and occasionally absurd.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452266785
• ISBN13: 9780452266780
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Amazing !!!

The absolute BEST book I've ever read on France and the French. Enthusiastic though unbiased, extensive and extremely well-documented but never dry or boring, lively but not too "journalist-like", this is an absolute must-read for whoever has an interest in this fascinating - though sometimes hard to grasp - country. Readers will likely understand France better thanks to this book. A real masterpiece. The author's knowledge of France (its history, famous authors, historians, politics, cultural patterns) is simply astonishing.

oustanding journalistic masterpiece

deep, unbiased, well researched in all aspects of the review. Written with excellent litterary talent, the book, although extensive, is never boring. One of the best I have ever read about the French and their country.

a magnificent portrayal of France and the French

As an American in France I am particularly interested, andreasonablyknowledgeable about, works on france. I found Bernstein's book to provide an accurate and lively portrayal of a subject which is all too often romanticized or written about in a condescending way.