Anne-Pascale BRUNEAU-RUMSEY, Séverine LETALLEUR-SOMMER, Painters of the First World WarParis, Sorbonne Université Presses, 2024, 440 p.
This book provides a historical perspective on a body of pictorial works produced during the First World War. These paintings are analysed not only in terms of their conception in particular contexts, but also in terms of their memorial significance.
Pierre HAROCHE, Forging the world - How the clash of powers is shaping EuropeParis, Fayard, 2024, 224 p.
This book examines Europe's place on the international stage, in a context of new global competition between powers. This reflection is based on a historical study of the role played by Europe in globalisation, but also in current and future dynamics. These elements help to shape what the author refers to as a 'new Europe'.
Pierre HASKI, A land doubly promised - Israel-Palestine: a century of conflictParis, Stock, 2024, 257 p.
This book is based on journalist Pierre Haski's experience of Israel and Palestine over the last forty years, from 1982 onwards. This long-term analysis sheds light on recent geopolitical events, marked by the massacre of 7 October 2023, which the author sees as part of a "century of conflicts". Pierre Haski defends the thesis that this conflict is the result of the dual legitimacy of the Israeli-Palestinian lands, combined with nationalist and religious factors.
Joanna MENDEZ, In True Face - A Woman's Life in the CIA, UnmaskedNew York, PublicAffairs, 2024, 320 p.
This autobiographical work retraces Joanna Mendez's career in the CIA at the height of the Cold War. The author describes her career path and the challenges and difficulties she had to face, particularly as a woman, in order to rise through the hierarchy in an institution that was deeply sexist at the time. J. Mendez also paints a detailed portrait of the espionage and intelligence operations she carried out within the CIA, including in Russia during the Cold War, ultimately leading her from a support role to the title of one of the Agency's greatest spies.
Asma MHALLA, Technopolitics - How technology is turning us into soldiersParis, Seuil, 2024, 288 p.
In this essay, Asma Mhalla examines how technologies are transforming the very nature of war and power, while alienating the individual from uncontrolled technology. The book pays particular attention to the militarisation of different technologies, but also of minds, and the ethical implications of their use.
Olivier SCHMITT, Preparing for war - Strategy, innovation and military power in contemporary timesParis, PUF, 2024, 464 p.
In this book, Olivier Schmitt, professor of political science and specialist in strategic studies, examines the political, organisational and strategic factors that enable military organisations to adapt to their security environment.
Elsa VIDAL, Russian fascination - French politics: thirty years of complacency towards RussiaParis, Robert Laffont, 2024, 324 p.
The return of war to Europe, triggered by the massive Russian invasion of Ukraine, is the result of a series of mistakes made by French leaders vis-à-vis Russia: this is the conclusion reached by Elsa Vidal in her book on Franco-Russian relations over the last thirty years. The French journalist provides a rich and detailed analysis of these errors, the starting point of which is that "Paris prefers Moscow". Beyond this observation, she attempts to shed light on this French attitude through the prism of geopolitical, historical and political factors, but also proposes, in three main points, a way of replacing the French "pro-Russian" paradigm with a new awareness.
Olivier WIEVIORKA, Total history of the Second World War, Paris, Perrin Ministère des Armées, 2023, 1072 p.
Winner of the 2024 Contemporary History Book Prize, Olivier Wieviorka offers an ambitious and innovative synthesis in "Histoire totale de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale". Unlike Anglo-American works that focus on military operations, Wieviorka offers a global perspective. He explores all the fronts of the conflict, from Europe to Asia-Pacific, via North Africa and the Middle East. It also looks at the ideological, economic, logistical and diplomatic aspects, as well as the social history and the history of memory. Illustrating that the Second World War was a truly global and total conflict.
Jean-Pierre BOIS, Maurice de SaxeParis, Fayard, 1992, 538 p.
In 1939, still haunted by memories of the First World War, the Germans were not looking forward to a new conflict. Yet their unfailing determination kept them at war until 1945, despite bombing, deprivation and defeat. How did they hold out? Were they aware of the genocidal aspect of this war? Nicholas Stargardt examines the Second World War from the Germans' point of view, using diaries, letters and surveillance reports to reveal the thoughts and motivations of a people at war, fighting for a desperate cause.
Guy-Philippe GOLDSTEIN, Seven days before nightfallParis, Gallimard, 2017, 656 p.
Julia O'Brien, a senior US intelligence officer, is released from captivity in Russia by the Special Forces. However, she is immediately plunged into a crucial mission. A previously unknown far-right Hindu group has hacked into the Indian government and stolen enriched uranium. Now they're threatening a major city with divine retribution. Julia sets off on a journey from London to Bombay, realising that the apocalypse is approaching and that there are only seven days left before Night falls.
