France is a land absolutely steeped in history. It has always been a leading nation of Western Europe, and in many ways, one could say France is Western Europe.

One could confidently say such a thing because of the long history of French polities taking charge in world history. Before France proper even existed, the tribes there, such as the Franks, played a central role in regional affairs. For example, as the Roman Empire was falling apart, the Franks were increasingly relied upon for the security of the ailing Roman state.

And when Rome toppled, the Franks took it upon themselves to pick up the pieces. It was from their efforts that the so-called "Holy Roman Empire" was forged. This massive conglomerate once contained much of France and a large chunk of the rest of western and central Europe.

France then became a nation in its own right and would become one of the most powerful powers of Europe, with colonies all over the world. France would then undergo much internal upheaval and a revolution that would rock the whole world. It would take France generations to recover, but recover it did. Before arriving where it is today, the country would go through two world wars and a cold one.

In this book, you will discover the following:

• France's origins and its prehistory
• France's relations with the Roman Empire
• How the French survived the Middle Ages
• The French Revolution and the impact it had on society
• The Napoleonic Wars and the changes Napoleon made in France and its colonies
• French colonialism and a look at some of the major French colonies
• France during the world wars
• Postwar and Cold War France
• Modern France and what its future might hold
• And much more!