As a reader of primarily US history, I was excited to pick up this book. Based on the title, and my own knowledge of French history, I was hoping that it would be a nice “toe-dip” into the history of France. Ultimately, I was not disappointed, and it was exactly what I was looking for. If you want a bit of a refresh on the topics you may already be familiar with, and an introduction to new topics that may interest you, this book is a great resource. The author provides a little bit of everything, but not a lot of anything, which is by no means a criticism. Considering that this book covers nearly three millennia of French history in roughly 270 pages, the book provides exactly what you should expect from something titled “The Shortest History of France.” Throughout this read, I found myself appreciating the stories I already did know, and jotting down notes of topics and tidbits that I’d like to research further. Jones provides a fast-moving crash course of France, from the Gauls to de Gaulle, and right up to present day. This book will give you enough information to be dangerous, and if you enjoy history, will whet your appetite for areas of further reading. A special thanks to NetGalley and The Experiment for allowing me to enjoy this read.

The “Shortest History” series has a great formula that is consistent from book to book. I liked the non-flowery writing style with its clarity and conversational tone. Considering the time span and magnitude of the subject matter, there is an astonishing depth of information in what is actually a relatively concise book. The maps were great. Colin Jones opted to explain why things happened as opposed to just offering a collection of dates, places, and names. Obviously Jones couldn’t go into a lot of details, but I feel like he covered all the major ones. The book is fast-paced and impossible to put down, yet it doesn’t feel rushed. This is a great book for anyone interested in the history of France. Thank you to Netgalley and The Experiment for the advance reader copy.