The famous British historian and author John Norwich gives a comprehensive overview of the past of a country that has done more for European culture than any other state."The history of France is not only Napoleon, Jeanne d'Arc and Louis XIV. I will tell you about the fate of the unfortunate Templars in the hands of the odious Philip the Beautiful and about the events that happened to his daughters-in-law in the Tower of Nelson; about the beautiful Madame de Pompadour and the controversial Madame de Maintenon; about Louis Philippe, almost forgotten today, but probably the best king in the history of the country; and this is just the beginning. The first chapter will quickly accompany us from the Gauls and Julius Caesar to Charlemagne, covering about eight centuries. The last chapter will tell about five years of the Second World War — 1945 ends one era and begins a new one." (John Norwich)