Donald Morrison is a journalist at TIME magazine Antoine Compagnon is a Professor of French Literature at the Collège de France

"This book offers yet another delicious glimpse into a relationship that never ceases to fascinate, that between the US and France. It has taken an American to crystallize what France doesn't want to admit: that French culture is no longer an international force to be reckoned with. What is most compelling about it, though, is the accuracy of Morrison's argument combined with his deep affection for France. There is no rejoicing in his writing. Morrison's is a true lament . In his appraisal of France's growing incapacity to maintain its universal cultural pull, Morrison entreats us to think about the meaning of culture and universalism in the 21st century."Prospect Magazine "Essentially a discussion and profile of two great cultural powers, the book raises the bigger question of why anybody should ever expect one country to remain dominant in any field, be it in culture, politics or even military rule?"Journal of Contemporary European Studies

• The Death of French Culture (Donald Morrison). The Trappings of Greatness (Antoine Compagnon).

Donald Morrison is a journalist at TIME magazine Antoine Compagnon is a Professor of French Literature at the Collège de France

"This book offers yet another delicious glimpse into a relationship that never ceases to fascinate, that between the US and France. It has taken an American to crystallize what France doesn't want to admit: that French culture is no longer an international force to be reckoned with. What is most compelling about it, though, is the accuracy of Morrison's argument combined with his deep affection for France. There is no rejoicing in his writing. Morrison's is a true lament . In his appraisal of France's growing incapacity to maintain its universal cultural pull, Morrison entreats us to think about the meaning of culture and universalism in the 21st century."Prospect Magazine "Essentially a discussion and profile of two great cultural powers, the book raises the bigger question of why anybody should ever expect one country to remain dominant in any field, be it in culture, politics or even military rule?"Journal of Contemporary European Studies

• The Death of French Culture (Donald Morrison). The Trappings of Greatness (Antoine Compagnon).