Summary
For more than 40 years, Jacques Chirac has been at the center of French political life. "The Bulldozer," as he is known, has served in every major office of the French state, from mayor of Paris and prime minister to the presidency, which he has held since 1995. His influence in the history of modern France is surpassed only by Charles de Gaulle. But despite this impressive record, Chirac has in recent years become a controversial figure, beset by corruption scandals and political crises. As his administration struggled to deal with the problems of high unemployment, social strife, tensions over immigration, and the future of the European Union, the French asked: Has the aging Chirac finally lost the political skills that served him so well in the past? This book is a useful learning tool that clearly examines the complex issues and questions surrounding Chirac and his policies.
Specifications
Full-color and black-and-white photographs. Chronology. Bibliography. Further reading. Index.
About the Author(s)
Alan Allport was born in Whiston, England. He received a master's degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania and is completing his Ph.D. He teaches and writes about modern British and European history. Jacques Chirac is his seventh book for Chelsea House. He lives in Philadelphia.
Introduction by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Albert Schweitzer Professor of Humanities, City University of New York; winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History and for Biography.