A History of France

By: John Julius Norwich

Narrated by: John Julius Norwich

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

John Julius Norwich - called a "true master of narrative history" by Simon Sebag Montefiore - returns with the book he has spent his distinguished career wanting to write, A History of France, a portrait of the past two centuries of the country he loves best.

Beginning with Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul in the first century BC, this study of French history comprises a cast of legendary characters - Charlemagne, Louis XIV, Napoleon, Joan of Arc, and Marie Antionette, to name a few - as Norwich chronicles France's often violent, always fascinating history.

From the French Revolution - after which neither France, nor the world, would be the same again - to the storming of the Bastille, from the Vichy regime and the Resistance to the end of the Second World War, A History of France is packed with heroes and villains, battles and rebellion, stories so enthralling that Norwich declared, "I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed writing a book more."

With his celebrated stylistic panache and expert command of detail, Norwich writes in an inviting, intimate tone, and with a palpable affection for France. One of our greatest contemporary historians has deftly crafted a comprehensive yet concise portrait of the country's historical sweep.

©2018 John Julius Norwich (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The major achievement of this book is the very fact that Norwich takes each of the four rulers to be a piece of the same story...written with often humming literary verve." (New York Times Book Review)

Personal and insightful

This was better than a standard dry history because the author feels and communicates a personal connection to people and elements of French history and culture making this overview delightful as well as insightful

One of the Best Straightforward Histories of France

I have read a lot of history books, but always come back to this one as one of my absolute favorites. The author has such a charming and straightforward way of telling the history of France in a way I feel that anybody can follow. In two pages, he’ll cover a subject more clearly and memorably than a 200pg book on the topic, and he’ll make you laugh while he does it. He reminds me of that much-beloved history teacher who gets you into learning and reading about history because they’re so good at telling the historical narrative in an ultra-compelling way.

Too much royalty

The author’s own delivery of his work is an audio delight and his love for the material self evident. However, his recounting of France’s history is almost exclusively devoted to the royal families up until the late 19th century. There is a disappointing lack of insight into the lives and contributions of the French people themselves. A nation’s history is so much more than that of her few leaders, and that is missed in this book.

Great Book

I really enjoyed the book. The author was very passionate and knowledgeable. I definitely learned a lot.

good content, meh production quality.

sometimes a different narrator pops in. would be nice if it gave a heads up. audio quality is not great in general. good book tho.

TLDR History of France

Good book, really annoying background noises in the performance, like someone’s tapping on a phone, even heard a ping of a phone at one point. There is a different person saying the quotes and honestly it was really jarring at first, but I got use to it, though they had an instance when the main reader just said the quote instead of the other guy which was strange. There’s some times when the mic also messes up too and it gets really quiet. There is a moment near the end when the reader is audibly tearing up talking about his father and it shows in his performance, but besides that, it wasn’t anything special.
The overall book is great for a general reading of the history of France, but it isn’t very in-depth with any particular topic, which is okay, but if you’re familiar with French history, you might not learn anything new. This is very much a beginner style book for the learning of French history, though it is still a great one. I’d recommend this for history lovers.
7/10, closer to an 8

Encore!

We loved it. May be one of the best non fiction endings and epilogues I’ve ever heard. Norwich must be truly missed. We are looking for other books or documentaries he may have made or narrated.

The dramatic quotations actor was a bit startling at times but he gave the words life and spirit.

Great listen!

While the author tended to focus more on the political control of France throughout history, this is still one of the most thorough tellings of the country’s past. Really enjoyed it!

Interesting overview of French History

I loved that the author narrated his own book! How wonderful to have lived so long in France and had some many wonderful experiences as well as to have learned the language from a young age! Of corse, it did not tell everything but did let us know that France had a colorful and fascinating history. It was so sad to me that there were so many wars as there still are in the world today! But I lived listening to the book in the author’s own voice.

Ann C.

Strongly recommended

In depth yet easy to follow, as it is very eloquently written. Objective yet passionate and at times witty and subtly humorous. The flowing narration by the author himself adds to the authenticity. I ended up buying a hard copy after listening to it.