For those interested in a thoughtful, genuine look at day-to-day life in rural France in the post-World War II era, this is a delightful book. It is not the glib, quick laugh of a nouveau wine -- more the thoughtful, lively reflection of a well-aged premier cru to be enjoyed leisurely. It is the France of an almost bye-gone era -- in this case, rural Provence. If you have the taste to enjoy Bandol wines, Pagnol films, a dinner at Chez Panisse in Berkeley (which I believe French wine merchant Kermit Lynch once called "the finest restaurant in the South of France"), or the stunning photography of Gail Skoff, then you will savour this book.

Laurence Wiley,a former professor of sociology at Harvard,wrote this wonderful little book in the 1950's. This charming examination of life in the town of Rousillon(which he calls Peyrane to protect it's privacy)captures the the character of French life in the postwar recovery period.As a reader you will be transported back in time to a simpler life among the hill towns of Provence.Laurence gives us the facts about the history of the town,and from where the people came (surprisingly it was a transient population).He tells us about how they are brought up,educated,their adolescent times,their whole lives.There are many delightful personalities in this book-you will enjoy it.I just hope someone will use it for a movie one day.

This book gives excellent insight into the differences between the French and the American. The authors do an excellent job of describing and explaining the influences on French children and young adults that form their societal views on the world. Each section gives excellent description of essential differences and similarities between the two on the various aspects of life, including body language, history, weather, etc. It also helps if you read French fluently.