The first of a two volume study, which will analyse the complex relationship between Britain and France in the twentieth century: a relationship which has been crucial to European politics and to both World Wars.This volume (fully self-contained) runs from the period of intense imperial rivalry at the turn of the century to the Fall of France. Philip Bell discusses diplomatic, economic and military policy, combining absorbing narrative with revealing commentary about the two countries.

Introduction; Chapter 1 The Remembrance of Things Past; Chapter 2 Entente Cordiale, 1902-1905; Chapter 3 Entente or Alliance? 1906-1914; Chapter 4 Comrades in Arms: (i) The High Command; Chapter 5 Comrades in Arms: (ii) Economics and War Aims; Chapter 6 The Shock of War; Chapter 7 Peace-making, 1919-1920; Chapter 8 The German Question, 1920-1926; Chapter 9 'Providence has made us an island'; Chapter 10 Things Fall Apart, 1929-1934; Chapter 11 Storm Cone, 1935; Chapter 12 Appeasement and War, 1936-April 1940; Chapter 13 Their Finest Hour - L'Heure Tragique, 1940; Conclusion;