'Written in a clear, direct style, with little jargon, and theory largely limited to how these ceremonies were conceived and received at the time they took place, this is a refreshing and always interesting commentary upon one way in which the French have sought to express their diverse political identities over two centuries of waning commitment to public religious values.' -Journal of Ecclesiastical History
'The ongoing presence of monarchical tradition, peculiar to French Republicanism, is emphasised to good effect... With the excellent index, this book becomes a useful reference tool.' -English Historical Review
'Innovative.' -French History
'The exceptional richness of this book will make it - for a long time - a work of reference that wonderfully illustrates the new ways of doing political history.' -AnnalesThis is a study of the state funerals that were celebrated in France between the French Revolution and the death of François Mitterrand. It investigates the funerals of such prominent figures as Voltaire, Napoleon, Gambetta, Hugo, and de Gaulle, which became major public events that helped to mould the national memory. The book is the first comprehensive analysis of French state funerals, and also a major contribution to the study of French political culture.
