zeb Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 ......Can't be Wrong. Have any of you read this and has there been a discussion on the forum about it? (Search engine is crap)Am a couple of chapters in and enjoying it (and learning from it) hugely.regards......helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Yes, there has been discussion on this forum - I suspect the threads have been lost in the Great Archive Disappearance.I find it fascinating and constantly refer to it. Don't forget that it reflects a north American viewpoint in which some concepts differ from the European (eg reresentatve democracy). I find the sections on the Algerian war and higher education fascinating. The first because it is relatively unknown but has had great consequences for how France sees itself; the second because I worked in the UK HE sector - and for all the problems we were having, the French university system seems awful (and it's a second division sector in France, anyway). One interesting thing the authors say is that there is no such thing as local government in France - only local administration - and maires, perceived as powerful, can only do what the state allows them to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb Posted September 27, 2004 Author Share Posted September 27, 2004 [quote]Yes, there has been discussion on this forum - I suspect the threads have been lost in the Great Archive Disappearance. I find it fascinating and constantly refer to it. Don't forget that it reflec...[/quote].......but a great system of social control!Loved the bit about the trick and treating manifestation in Honfleur.helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb Posted September 27, 2004 Author Share Posted September 27, 2004 Oops! Still can't get the bit of quote needed! I was referring to the Maires!helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistral Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 I've just finished reading it. I didn't learn anything new but I thought it explained France very well and the angles they took on the pourquoi du comment explaining how France and the French just start from a different standpoint were very interestingly put.Their chapter about "the State" was very interesting and I found myself nodding in agreement with a lot of their comments on the vision the french have of La République and L'Etat. (you should hear my husband on l'état unie et indivisible)I would suggest it to anybody wanting to understand how France functions (yes, with a small warning that it is aimed at north Americans)Interestingly, I'm reading "les français aussi ont un accent" now which is a book by the same author but in French. While 60 millions.... was very neutral and spent most its time trying to explain without criticising, les français... is much more critical as a whole. It is written more as a humerous travelogue but the author lets out a lot more of his frustrations with the French. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 >>>the French just start from a different standpoint <<< and thats what so many people fail to understand.....!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Last Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 I'm just in the middle of this and think it is excellent - should be compulsory reading for anyone considering spending any significant time in France.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le_Jars Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 Who's it written by? Who publishes it? What's the actual title please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb Posted October 9, 2004 Author Share Posted October 9, 2004 Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't be Wrong - what makes the French so Frenchby Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow published by Robson Books - I got mine at Stanstead (£9.99) but available from amazon. (They do apologise for the sexism!!)According to the blurb on the back The French smoke, drink and eat more fat than anyone in the world, yet have fewer heart problems and half the obesity rate of the Britishand, work 35-hour weeks, and take seven weeks of paid holidays per year but are still the world's fifth-biggest economic power. So what makes the French so different? regards......helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le_Jars Posted October 9, 2004 Share Posted October 9, 2004 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb Posted October 9, 2004 Author Share Posted October 9, 2004 You're welcome!By the way - did you ever do Run to the Sun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le_Jars Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 I did once, yes - too many idiots in Novas for my liking. I used to go to most of the VW shows though. The only thing I miss about England so far.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now