At first glance, Germinie Lacerteux is about a middle-age poor maid who lives a miserable life. If it stopped there, it wouldn't be the classic it is. It's not a classic in the strictest sense of the word - it's not just about an unfulfilled love, or the ambitions of the poor, etc. What's so spectacular is the way the Goncourts utilize language to paint Germinie's portrait. Sometimes ridiculous, other times excrutiatingly painful - these are the descriptions of Germinie that we get. There's not the common physical descriptions or superficial personal qualities of a woman. It's a psychological adventure. I am still amazed at how the Goncourts wrote this - without having actually lived Germinie's life. Incredible imagination, I guess. Anyways, if you would like to explore the darker, more profound side of French literature, try this one. It's quite impressive.

Written in 1972, by the eminent microbiologist, this work presents valuable perspectives on todays ecological crisis. Not one to despair of events, Dubos seeks positive values in man's relation to nature. He emphasizes the particular and the regional differences, the "Spirit of place" that symbolizes the forces hidden beneath the surface and the persistence of a psyche of place. He does not conclude that mans relationship must be negative, and takes heart in human altered landscapes such as Britain's moors and in evidence of sustainable agriculture in Japan and Amish societies of America.

Dubos does not blame the Judeo-Christian tradition, but rather sees hope in Benedictine stewardship (as opposed to a "unrealistic" Franciscan view) that make it possible to maintain nature in a humanized condition.

He is not Pollyannic and recognizes the "Demon within" .. the thrust of technology and institutions that may run counter to living in harmony with nature. I recommend this book not because it offers simple answers, but because if offers a well-read source of different perspectives.

Michelet's Histoire de la revolution francaise was written during and after the revolution of 1848, which gives it a particular flavour of urgency and immediacy in comparing the two revolutions, and also a special value as a passionate reflection on the rights of the people as opposed to the interests of the ruler. Michelet himself suffered because of his ideals of social justice; he was dismissed from his teaching post and went through a long period of financial hardship. His work is, of course, highly emotional and patriotic (a quality I usually dislike, but which is in this case excusable), and it can be read as a proof that historians are not always mindless sycophants who repeat the official version, secretly deploring the suffering of the oh-so-glorious aristocracy. To obtain a different perspective, I am reading The Oxford History of the French Revolution by Doyle as well. The contrast is really enjoyable, involving Romantic pathos versus late 20th century commitment to cold facts. In short, this book is a long read, but it is recommendable, even aesthetically pleasing (although a little bombastic), especially in French.

For 30 plus years, this book has provided clear guidance on ways to properly and apporpriately hold the worker accountable for their actions and conduct. It is positive in it's approach and addresses many of the toughest problems a Human Resource professional faces on a day to day basis.

This book is pretty good. I just wish it would tell me more about baseball at that time. I learnd a few things abut Jackie, like how he lead the league in hits in in 1949 with 342 hits and drove in 142 runs. He was also MVP that year and thats why I gave this book 4 stars.

This light biography provides an introduction to the life and career of France's most famous 19th century novelist (judging by international acclaim), while seeking to demonstrate that Verne truly invented the future--a modest goal! Fans of H.G. Wells will argue the point about who created the genre of true science fiction, but Verne coined the term "Imaginary voyages" and conceived a new kind of hero: the scientist or the adventurer who used scientific information and devices to explore: the earth, below the earth, the seas, the air, the moon! He even
created a futuristic utopia, though by the end of his career his novels reflected a darker side, as he cautioned against the dangers of unbridled mechanization and amoral progress. It grieved him that Man should prove Man's own worst enemy.

This book reads quickly, giving plot details about Verne's major works and unmistakaable influence upon the imagination and goals of adventurous youth the world over: France, England, America, Germany, Switzerland, and Scandinavia. A century ahead of his time, Verne combined literary talent with real scientific knowldege of his day, drawing upon the exhaustive facts and diagrams from his many notebooks compiled over the years. This short biogrpahy is an excellent springboard for comparative literature in the Sci Fi realm or as true inspiration for inventions, discoveries and expeditions to study the earth.
Although written by a German (with vague ideas of American geography), this short book lists the accomplishments of the men who followed Verne's literary legacy by exploring the planet in life. A delightful taste of the genius who inspired generations to dare more, to plan rationally and to dream of glory!

This 19 century French author has been unjustly forgotten. At least two of his books should belong to the Western canon: "L'ensorcelée" and "Les diaboliques".

"L'ensorcelée", or "The bewitched", tells the story of the Abbe Croix-Jugan, a bad man who was forced by his family to become a priest. What he really likes, though, is political intrigue. Being a brave fellow, he fights with the "chouans", royalist guerrillas sponsored by aristocrats, intent on deposing the post-Revolutionary governments of France. When he sees his cause is lost, he shots himself in the face, but is rescued by a peasant family. When he recovers, the Church sends him to the almost desert and remote swamps in Northern France. There, he goes on with his political conspiracies, using as a messenger a young noble lady, Jeanne, who is impressed and almost in love with him, despite his being a deformed man (physically and spiritually). What follows is an amazing tale of horror, violence, and ghosts. The environment is superb, perfect for this kind of story, and the ending is just marvelous. If you happen to come across this book, read it. It's good.

One night, in a castle, a group of old people remember their many adventures of old, when they fought against the post-Revolutionary government of France. They remind themselves of the brave leader, "The knight of Touches" of the title. Des Touches had an important role as the messenger between the royalists refuged in England, and the fighters in France.

This is not the typical XIX century novel of adventures, it's not swashbuckling. On the contrary, it's dark and nostalgic, and the characters are complex and strange. But it does contain interesting adventures and twists. The ending is funny and less dark, a tender and spicy anecdote involving one of the old ladies present at the conversation. Worth reading.

A more accurate translation of the original might be 'Maigret defends himself', and in this late, autumnal Simenon, we find a hero three years away from retirement, a man who should be lounging on the laurels of a remarkably successful career, accused of getting the orphaned teenage niece of an important state official drunk and taking her to a cheap hotel. There is no real mystery or ambiguity in such a scenario - the idea of a lecherous Maigret is about as plausible as Sherlock Holmes in a Santa suit. As ever with Simenon, the interest is psychological, and Maigret's near-breakdown is superbly conveyed, in the fragmented and delayed way the accusation is given to the reader, disorienting us as much as the detective; and in the way Maigret looks at the world, the interrogator now interrogted, decades of integrity and achievement counting for nothing. There is a brilliant scene after Maigret has been condescendingly accused by an upstart Chief Commissioner in a large, unfamiliar, anonymous office; the sense of literal and spiritual depletion he feels in this silent, cavernous building opens out onto the heightened colour and noise of the streets as he leaves.

'Defensive' is a classic study of middle-age; of the generational conflicts that take place in any large organisation, when the old methods are despised by arrogant young bucks; of the touching, unspoken, nearly-sentimental companionship of trusted old (male) colleagues; of the moral ambiguity of a law-enforcement so dependent on informers; of Paris in broiling summer, devoid of inane romanticism. The most endearing thing about Maigret, alone among the great detectives, is his serene, bourgeois domesticsity, and the moral support given by the wonderful Mme. Maigret may not win many feminist admirers, but is touching nonetheless. A lesser writer might have contrasted this normality with the vicious sexuality that poisons the world outside, and nearly destroys the Superintendent, but both Simenon and Maigret are defined by their tolerance and understanding. Mystery-wise, 'Defensive' seems as slack and shambling as a middle-aged inebriate, and hopelessly old-fashioned for 1964; it is actually as rigorously constructed and thematically thoughtful as we expect from this great writer.