Battle of Malplaquet, Umberto Eco, Cleopatra, Charles Pasqua, Napoleon. Overview of the Books of the week.
Clement Oury, Painting plaque 1709Perrin, 25€
A former student of the National School of Charters and recognized specialist in the history of war under the Ancien Régime, Clément Oury signs the seventh opus of the “Champs de battlefield” collection. In a remarkable historical study, he restores all the asperities of the battle of Malplaquet, by multiplying the points of view and perspectives. A “Pyrrhic victory” for the Allies, commanded by Prince Eugene of Savoy and the Duke of Malborough, the two best generals of their time, it saved the reign of Louis XIV, thanks to the fierce resistance of the troops of Marshal de Villars. The Battle of Malplaquet has its place among the great events of our national military history.
Umberto Eco, Recognize fascismGrasset, €7.90
In this short speech delivered on April 25, 1995 for the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Europe, Umberto Ecco looks back on his childhood in Mussolini's Italy. He then describes what constitutes fascism, beyond the particular characteristics of the Mussolini regime, and gives fourteen points to recognize this ideology. An essential work so as not to reproduce in the 21ste century the errors of its elder.
Sydney H. Aufrere and Pascal Charvet, Cleopatra – Secret MemoriesLead, 23€
In this work based on the heritage that the centuries have brought us from the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra speaks in the first person, and addresses the reader. Between myth and history, novel and historical and archaeological science, the authors take us on a journey to the court of the Ptolemies, to meet the Egyptian gods, Caesar and Antony, through the secret memories of Cleopatra, stateswoman, of letters and science, and above all the strength of love in the name of which she passionately wanted to unite the East and the West.
Pierre Manenti, Charles Pasqua – In the shadow of the RepublicCompound past tenses, 24€
Ten years after the death of Charles Pasqua, Pierre Manenti signs the first historical biography of this essential figure of the French right. Grandson of a Corsican shepherd and son of a policeman, a true model of meritocratic success, he knew the value of work. Resistant for 16 years, then commercial, deputy, MEP, senator, president of the general council and twice first cop of France, representative of a nationalist, patriotic and sovereignist right, he brings together both the right and the extreme right. Regularly mobilized to justify the use of a firmer policy on immigration and security, Charles Pasqua has never been so present in the French political imagination.
Michel Dancoisne-Martineau, The last NapoleonCompound past tenses, 22€
In 1816, Napoleon was exiled to Saint Helena. However, all hope is not lost, and Napoleon is still awaiting the verdict which, perhaps, will free him from exile. It was not until 1818 that the European powers decided on its fate. He then becomes, in his own words, a “man and nothing but that”. In this work, these last years are recounted, where we learn to know the last Napoleon, solitary, who no longer chases glory and power. A story told by Michel Dancoisne-Martineau, the curator of French Estates on the island of Sainte-Hélène since 1987.
