Search results for ""Author Ronald Tiersky""

A controversial politician with a flawed character, François Mitterrand was one of France's most detested political figures, sardonically referred to as a French Machiavelli, "God," "the Florentine," and "the Sphinx." Yet he was also called the "Quiet Force" and even, with affection, "Tonton" or "Dear Uncle." He was undoubtedly one of twentieth-century Europe's most substantial, durable, and statesmanlike leaders. From his much-disputed involvement with Vichy during WWII through the major policies of his presidency, Mitterrand's career is a lens through which we can view the anxieties and instabilities as well as the achievements and successes of contemporary France. Ronald Tiersky examines the three major themes of Mitterrand's presidency—socialism, national reconciliation, and the reconstruction of Europe—and shows that on each count, Mitterrand left a decisive mark, if not necessarily the one he hoped for or intended. In this first major political biography of Mitterrand since his death, Tiersky considers the contradiction that was Mitterrand and the legacy he left to France and to the world. François Mitterrand: A French President promises to be the standard book for years to come on this remarkable leader.

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An anthology of skeptical viewpoints of European integration has long been missing. Yet the need for students to have a spectrum of opinion on the EU has never been greater. This reader provides a timely corrective as the euro has plunged in value during its early existence and the Danes have voted against joining up. Exploring underreported and often mischaracterized "Euro-skeptic" arguments over the goals and methods of European integration, this collection brings together "Euro-skeptic," "Euro-pessimistic," and "Euro-phobic" speeches, essays, and other documents (some for the first time in English translation) that illustrate the range of opposition to the European Union. Balancing against the integrationist goal of federalism, the book gives a full airing to the various arguments against "ever-closer union." The reader offers classic statements of the "Europe of the Nations" views of Charles de Gaulle and Margaret Thatcher, as well as the current French "sovereignists" such as Charles Pasqua and Jean-Pierre Chevènement and includes more recent British arguments by Michael Portillo and Noel Malcolm. There are interviews with and analyses of far-right or "national-right" movements and their leaders-Jörg Haider and the Austrian Freedom party and Jean-Marie Le Pen and the French National Front. The special case of Norway-the only country that has said "no" (twice) to EU membership—is analyzed by a Norwegian scholar, and two historians argue that European integration overall is in some sense a great illusion or a misguided "division of the West."

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An anthology of skeptical viewpoints of European integration has long been missing. Yet the need for students to have a spectrum of opinion on the EU has never been greater. This reader provides a timely corrective as the euro has plunged in value during its early existence and the Danes have voted against joining up. Exploring underreported and often mischaracterized 'Euro-skeptic' arguments over the goals and methods of European integration, this collection brings together 'Euro-skeptic,' 'Euro-pessimistic,' and 'Euro-phobic' speeches, essays, and other documents (some for the first time in English translation) that illustrate the range of opposition to the European Union. Balancing against the integrationist goal of federalism, the book gives a full airing to the various arguments against 'ever-closer union.' The reader offers classic statements of the 'Europe of the Nations' views of Charles de Gaulle and Margaret Thatcher, as well as the current French 'sovereignists' such as Charles Pasqua and Jean-Pierre Chev_nement and includes more recent British arguments by Michael Portillo and Noel Malcolm. There are interviews with and analyses of far-right or 'national-right' movements and their leaders-Jsrg Haider and the Austrian Freedom party and Jean-Marie Le Pen and the French National Front. The special case of Norway-the only country that has said 'no' (twice) to EU membership—is analyzed by a Norwegian scholar, and two historians argue that European integration overall is in some sense a great illusion or a misguided 'division of the West.'

Read more less