This is Mort’s version of ”The Rise and Fall of the French Empire” recounted through the perspective of its colonies. It quickly becomes apparent that whilst the French Empire shared certain ambitions with the British - the need to bring ‘civilization’ to the territories it held - the one remarkable difference between the two is that most of the inhabitants of the French colonies were granted full citizenship. Became French in fact.

Of course the civilization had to French and approved and controlled and, in French. Mort loves France and lived in Paris, speaks French, writes about the food, culture, wines and olives of France with a contagious passion. But he pulls no punches which is why the French reviews considered his book as an indictment.

In fact, it is not, just reasoned. And full of his love for “La Belle France”. An excellent, readable book offering a history of that empire and its peoples with flair and style.