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Fascination and Misgivings

The United States in French Opinion, 1870–1914

Jacques Portes author Claude Fohlen author Elborg Forster translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:2nd Nov '06

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Fascination and Misgivings cover

This book shows the impact of American economic and societal models on French public opinion.

Through the views of French travelers and diverse French studies about the United States, Jacques Portes shows that the US took a pivotal place in French consciousness during the second half of the nineteenth century. They were trends that continued throughout the twentieth century: fascination and misgivings, attraction and repulsion.Through the views of French travelers and diverse French studies about the United States, this book shows that the US took a pivotal place in French consciousness during the second half of the nineteenth century. The American landscape, skyscrapers, and the presence of Native and African Americans were puzzling and exotic to the French. At the same time, towns and industry were proof of an emerging economic power. Meanwhile, the French people found attractive models of social engineering in American society: schools and universities, the changing role of women, the emergence of the middle class. Even before World War I, the US found its place in French opinion, following trends that were to continue throughout the twentieth century: fascination and misgivings, attraction and repulsion.

'This is a splendid book …'. English Historical Review

ISBN: 9780521026918

Dimensions: 228mm x 152mm x 28mm

Weight: 702g

468 pages