The Discovery of France

<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-fi