Reconsiders the events and the political, social, and religious movements that led to France's embrace of Fascism and anti-Semitism, exploring the tumultuous forces unleashed by the Dreyfus Affair, and examining how the clashing ideologies and the blood-soaked political scandals and artistic movements following the horror of World War I resulted in the country's era of militant authoritarianism; and how rioting, violent racism, and nationalistic fervor overtook France's sense of reason, sealed its fate, and led to the rise of the Vichy government.
Frederick Brown Book order
Frederick Brown is the author of several acclaimed books that delve into French history and literature. His works explore the lives and oeuvres of pivotal figures, uncovering the deeper cultural and intellectual currents of their times. Brown's approach is characterized by rich narrative and incisive insights into human psychology and societal forces.




- 2014
- 2010
For the Soul of France
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
The author of acclaimed biographies of Emile Zola and Flaubert now offers an ambitious, far-reaching portrait of fin-de-siecle France.
- 1985