My France: Politics, Culture, Myth - Hardcover

A passionate, scholarly collection of essays on French politics, culture, and myths from mid-19th to mid-20th century..."My France" is pervaded by Weber's enthusiasm: it's like a favorite-moments selection from a long and distinguished career. No doubt Weber is "un fou de la France," but his love is deep, not blind. -- Christine Schwartz "Village Voice Literary Supplement" This book of essays is witness to the range of Weber's curiosity and his ability to turn France into a window on the European world and larger historical processes...The essays have an allusive, elusive, thought-provoking quality. The reader comes away thinking, if not agreeing. There are good phrases, keen, often mordant, observations... An imaginative, intellectually rewarding book. -- David S. Landes "Times Literary Supplement" favorite-moments selection from a long and distinguished career. No doubt Weber is "un fou de la France," but his love is deep, not blind. lifetime of happy labor, these essays reveal an artisan at work, carefully crafting products in the quality tradition of "articles de Paris." No wonder the French like him. thought-provoking quality. The reader comes away thinking, if not agreeing. There are good phrases, keen, often mordant, observations...[An] imaginative, intellectually rewarding book. If you're interested in France but haven't read much serious analysis of the country's history and culture, "My France" should become your France. -- David Shaw "Los Angeles Times Book Review" This book of essays is witness to the range of [Weber's] curiosity and his ability to turn France into a window on the European world and larger historical processes...The essays have an allusive, elusive, thought-provoking quality. The reader comes away thinking, if not agreeing. There are good phrases, keen, often mordant, observations...[An] imaginative, intellectually rewarding book. -- David S. Landes "Times Literary Supplement" Where other historians seek out patterns, categories, generalities and change, [Weber] champions accident, detail, continuity and the particular...Despite widely disparate subject matter [of these essays]--ranging from an investigation of the origins of the 'Marseillaise' to an essay on political taxonomy--they form a remarkably coherent whole, united by a consistent set of concerns and a distinctive, highly personal style...Offcuts from a lifetime of happy labor, these essays reveal an artisan at work, carefully crafting products in the quality tradition of "articles de Paris." No wonder the French like him. -- Tony Judt "New York Times Book Review"

My France focuses on some of the most intriguing aspects of French life: politics, myths, personalities, public problems, actions, and conflicts. The topics Weber treats range from sports to religion, and include comments on folklore, national socialism, antisemitism, and famous Frenchmen.