On Transnational France
Stovall, Tyler. Transnational France: The Modern History of a Universal Nation. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2015. pp. 494. Paperback.
Hands down, this is the best modern French history textbook on the market. I’ve also read France since 1870 by Sowerwine, A History of Modern France by Popkin, and France and Its Empire since 1870 by Conklin, Fishman, and Zaretsky. While all of these are good, Stovall’s book masterfully weaves the history of France into global trends, simultaneously being detailed and concise. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to introduce (or refresh) themselves to French history.