Children of the French Empire

Revealing and well-executed study of mixed-race offspring in French West Africa ... The strength of this book lies in its subtle interpretations and rich empirical detail ... his book highlights the tremendous benefits to be gained from exploring metropolitan and colonial developments in a single frame. To his immense credit, White makes this seem effortless. * African Affairs *
Breaks new ground ... This excellent book will be of interest to both historians of France and colonial historians. It offers a fascinating insight into the human relations of colonialism and, in so doing, obliges us to abandon the easy distinctions and dichotomies between colonizer and colonized which have been a frequent feature of writing about colonialism. * French History *
There are few good anglophone studies of the French colonial experience. White's monograph is therefore a valuable source of insight into the distinctive nature of French interactions with indigenous subject peoples. It is all the more welcome because the author writes with sensitivity and verve about matters which might in other hands have been reduced to sub-Foucaldian platitudes. * Susan Bayly, Times Literary Supplement *
This is a first-rate contribution to the study of colonialism. * Susan Bayly, Times Literary Supplement *
Children of the French Empire provides a very useful prism through which to view the French imperial system and its culture. This book is a "must" for anyone interested in understanding both. * Journal of African History, Vol.42 *
An important contribution to current debates over competing philosophies of French colonial governance and the all-to-frequent chasm between high-minded theory and less impressive practice. * English Historical Review *