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saxamaholly's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting at times, but also very repetitive, and not so well laid-out. I feel that this book doesn't really know what it wants to be; it's not very anecdotal, it's semi-serious....I don't know, maybe I just had higher hopes. I don't know why it would be particularly interesting to anyone who hasn't lived in or experienced France first-hand.
carodonahue's review against another edition
3.0
i started out pretty- full steam ahead on this one, but have slowed for the path month. i really enjoy the treatment of french culture as totally different from -and often in opposition to- american ideas, but as it goes along the presentation gets a bit stale without fresh new interpretations for each new information. i do plan to get back to it, but had gotten a bit bored and needed a break. if you are interested in france and all its quirks, or just simply love the idea of it, this is certainly a way to learn more about the country we seem to both love and hate at the same time.
immyob's review against another edition
2.0
way too many americanisms and what i think are inaccurate and sometimes offensive descriptions of the french
easy to read up until the last section which just drags on and is mind numbingly boring
easy to read up until the last section which just drags on and is mind numbingly boring
howjessicareads's review
4.0
60 Million Frenchman is split into three sections (1) French history (why certain events helped make the French the way they are). (2) French system (detailed analysis of almost every aspect of current--as of 2000--French life). (3) Projections for the future.
I liked part one a lot. I think the chapters on the Algerian War and World War Two were particularly apt in explaining how the French mindset has been shaped in recent decades. Part two was good in spots, and reeeeally boring in spots. For example: first there's a whole chapter on grands ecoles, then, because that was apparently not enough, there was a whole chapter devoted exclusively to ENA. I liked some of the chapters on the political stuff though, and how different the French ideas of judicial and executive power are from the American.
Part three was relatively short, a beautiful quick read after slogging through part two. It basically paves the way for what they discuss in their other book (The Story of French). All in all, it's an informative, mostly well-written, detailed look at French history, language, culture, technology, and politics--a perfect read if you're a Francophile, or if you're just wanting to learn more about the French mindset.
I liked part one a lot. I think the chapters on the Algerian War and World War Two were particularly apt in explaining how the French mindset has been shaped in recent decades. Part two was good in spots, and reeeeally boring in spots. For example: first there's a whole chapter on grands ecoles, then, because that was apparently not enough, there was a whole chapter devoted exclusively to ENA. I liked some of the chapters on the political stuff though, and how different the French ideas of judicial and executive power are from the American.
Part three was relatively short, a beautiful quick read after slogging through part two. It basically paves the way for what they discuss in their other book (The Story of French). All in all, it's an informative, mostly well-written, detailed look at French history, language, culture, technology, and politics--a perfect read if you're a Francophile, or if you're just wanting to learn more about the French mindset.
goldandsalt's review
5.0
This is a light, humorous ethnography of the French, from an American/Canadian point of view. Reading this before I studied abroad in France helped me SO MUCH! I'm fairly certain that I made a lot fewer cultural blunders than I would have without reading this book. I highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to France.
rachelpelhamserafino's review
4.0
Interesting read! It turned out to be way more historical than I originally thought it would be, but I enjoyed revisiting a lot of the stuff I've forgotten since taking French history in college. However, having had been published in 2003, a lot of things seemed old, or outdated.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
3.0
Lots of useful info about France and the French. Key info for me: French rudeness; French history especially during WWII; education in France.
marciapoore's review
2.0
I thought the book would be more about the culture -small c- but it was a lot about their political structure, government, and civil issues. Two sentences that were memorable and appreciated were: "The French have an irrepressible habit of correcting language use, and they do so indiscriminately. " The other was: "The real difference [between English and French] is that, unlike the French, English speakers tolerate poor use of language." I wish we were more like the French in this regard because spoken English in America today is painfully lacking in good grammar.
sarah42783's review
4.0
When I first saw how thick and dense the book was, I thought it would take me a few weeks to read it but I was instantly captivated and actually finished it in just a few days! The book is surprisingly entertaining, considering it's a compendium of history, geography, politics, ethnology, etc...
The book offers a very acute and insightful analysis of France, the French and the way our country works. I learned quite a few things and actually had a few "aha!" moments when I thought "why did I never think of that before?!" I think this book should be mandatory reading for my French compatriots;) The book is very clear about historical facts (which explains my aha! moments) and the way our institutions work. It really heps understand France as a whole.
The book is also surprisingly accurate, considering it was written by foreigners who only spent two years living in France. There were very few mistakes (José Bové is not taken very seriously by the French). I don't think that there is that much sympathy for civil servants, on the contrary, but that is just my point of view and not an actual mistake. At one point the authors write about English words used in France and mention that people do their walking after work, which I've never heard before. The expression sounds a bit strange so I'll ask around to find out if other people know about this;)
The only thing that really bothered me was the repetition of some passages and sentences. I just didn't see the point in this, especially when the same sentence was repeated on two consecutive pages. It is especially surprising since the rest of the book is very fluid and well-written.
Still, this was an excellent read and one of the most interesting books I've read this year.
The book offers a very acute and insightful analysis of France, the French and the way our country works. I learned quite a few things and actually had a few "aha!" moments when I thought "why did I never think of that before?!" I think this book should be mandatory reading for my French compatriots;) The book is very clear about historical facts (which explains my aha! moments) and the way our institutions work. It really heps understand France as a whole.
The book is also surprisingly accurate, considering it was written by foreigners who only spent two years living in France. There were very few mistakes (José Bové is not taken very seriously by the French). I don't think that there is that much sympathy for civil servants, on the contrary, but that is just my point of view and not an actual mistake. At one point the authors write about English words used in France and mention that people do their walking after work, which I've never heard before. The expression sounds a bit strange so I'll ask around to find out if other people know about this;)
The only thing that really bothered me was the repetition of some passages and sentences. I just didn't see the point in this, especially when the same sentence was repeated on two consecutive pages. It is especially surprising since the rest of the book is very fluid and well-written.
Still, this was an excellent read and one of the most interesting books I've read this year.
rickyvalles's review
4.0
This book was an enjoyable read. The book is broken up into three parts Spirit, Structure and Change. I truly enjoyed parts one and three the most. Part two was a bit of a challenge to get through. Part two was more technical which describes the complex legal and political system of France. I truly enjoyed this book because it gives you a better understanding of why the French are the way they are and how their history has shaped their views.
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