Revolution Française : Emmanuel Macron and the quest to reinvent a nation

The extraordinary story of how an outsider candidate--an unknown technocrat and economics minister on the fringes of French politics--made his way to the Élysée palace, with expert analysis of his first year in office.

Two years after Emmanuel Macron came from nowhere to seize the French presidency, Sophie Pedder, The Economist's Paris bureau chief, tells the story of his remarkable rise and time in office so far. In this paperback edition, published with a new foreword by the author, Pedder reflects on Macron's troubles and triumphs: his dwindling popularity; the 'gilets jaunes' protests and resulting civil unrest; his efforts to transform France and lead the global fight against climate change; the Benalla affair; his erratic relationships with Angela Merkel, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Theresa May, and the future of the European project.

On the eve of important European elections, and with nationalist and populist forces rising across the continent, she considers whether Macron can hold the centre ground and defend the multilateral liberal order against the axis of such figures as Italy's Matteo Salvini and Hungary's Viktor Orbán. Pedder also analyses the domestic situation in France, the evolution of En Marche, and the fall-out from Macron's controversial reforms.
Meticulously researched and written in Pedder's gripping and immensely readable style, this is the essential, authoritative account for anyone wishing to understand Macron and the future of France in the world.

“The seminal account of Macron's rise, as riveting as a thriller.” —Lauren Collins, staff writer at the New Yorker and author of When in French: Love in a Second Language

“An important and brilliant book, sparkling with insights into the elusive and highly original personality of Emmanuel Macron, and the scale of his ambition to transform France and re-launch Europe.” —Lord Peter Ricketts, former British Ambassador to France

“An important book on Europe's most influential leader and whether liberalism has a future.” —Robert Peston, ITV Political Editor

“[An] excellent and lavishly sourced account of Macron's “quest to reinvent a nation” ... an illuminating book about a highly unusual politician.” —Financial Times

“Quick-paced, witty and elegantly written … Pedder's book is a breath of fresh air for the calmness and intelligence with which she deciphers and dissects the man and the politician.” —The Times

“Probably the foreign journalist who knows [Macron] best” —Irish Times

“[An] impressive combination of reportage and analysis, enriched with tête-à-tête interviews … fluently written and well-plotted” —The Economist

“Having read Revolution Française I understand Macron much better now and the modernisation he is attempting in France.” —Lord [Andrew] Adonis

“[An] excellent new biography” —Charles Grant, Director, Centre for European Reform

“Sharp … written with concise elegance” —Sunday Times

“An insightful examination of the rise, vision, and potential impact of France's youngest president ... authoritative” —Kirkus Reviews

“A superb book … Sophie Pedder has a deep understanding of what drives France and the French” —François Heisbourg, Chairman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies council, Special Adviser at the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique in Paris

“First rate … Revolution Francaise offers the best answer in English so far to two big questions: who is this man? And how will he change his country? … This is a model biography by a writer who knows and loves France” —New Statesman