ISBN: 1509803483 9781509803484

Category: History / General

Page count: 496

<p><b>With an introduction by Colm Tóibín.</b><br> <br> <i>Ten years ago, I began to explore the country on which I was supposed to be an authority . . .</i><br> <br> France is a country famous for its intellectuals, its philosophers and writers, its fashion, food and wine. And yet the notion of 'the French' as one nation is relatively recent and - historically speaking - quite misleading. In order to discover the 'real' past of France, Graham Robb realized it was not only necessary to go back in time, but also to go at a slower pace than modern life generally allows. <i>The Discovery of France</i>, illuminating, engrossing and full of surprises, is the result of Robb's 14,000 mile journey across France on a bicycle.<br> <br> <b>Winner of both the Duff Cooper and the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje prizes, <i>The Discovery of France</i> is a modern non-fiction classic, a literary exploration of a remarkable nation. From maps and migration to magic, language and landscape, it reveals a France few will recognize.</b><br> <br> 'An extraordinary journey of discovery' <i>Daily Telegraph</i><br> 'Robb's concise and fast-paced writing pedals along with never a dull paragraph . . . dazzling' <i>Sunday Times</i></p>