La revanche de l'histoire by Thierry de MontbrialReview by: Fritz SternForeign Affairs, Vol. 64, No. 1 (Fall, 1985), p. 186Published by: Council on Foreign RelationsStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20042525 .

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186 FOREIGN AFFAIRS

ation of the two countries. A useful bilingual introduction to the many

aspects of the most important relationship in Western Europe today.

EUROPEAN SECURITY AND FRANCE. By Fran?ois de Rose. Cham

paign: University of Illinois Press, 1985, 143 pp. $19.95. An eminent French authority on security issues argues for new European

initiatives in the face of the "danger represented by Soviet military power

deployed in support of an imperialistic ideology." His proposals, including the strengthening of conventional forces without abandoning the option of the first use of nuclear weapons, are meant to give substance to President

Mitterrand's declaration in 1983: "The European nations now need to

realize that their defense is also their responsibility. ..." A part of the

increasingly important debate in France over defense policy in Europe.

EUX ET NOUS: LES RELATIONS EST-OUEST ENTRE DEUX DE TENTES. By Michel Tatu. Paris: Fayard, 1985, 240 pp.

A leading French journalist, longtime specialist on East-West relations, examines the "we-they" attitudes of both superpowers. He emphasizes the

weaknesses of the Soviet camp and examines the possibilities of a European defense, at a time of growing skepticism concerning existing arrangements.

LA REVANCHE DE L'HISTOIRE. By Thierry de Montbrial. Paris: Jul liard, 1985, 197 pp. Fr. 75.

A collection of essays?in the style of Raymond Aron?on the political and economic prospects of Western society in the remaining years of the

century. Learned and lucid, these essays mix analysis and prescription and

propose new policies for France. Montbrial was the first head of the

Planning Division of the French Foreign Office and in 1979 founded the

French Institute of Foreign Relations, of which he remains the director.

ITALY 1943-1945. By David W. Ellwood. New York: Holmes & Meier, 1985, 313 pp. $39.50.

A rather ponderous monograph, based on new archival material and on

a much earlier doctoral thesis, of the events between Mussolini's fall and

the departure of Allied troops. Ellwood focuses on the interplay between

indigenous developments and Allied action and wrangling. The British

assumed early responsibility for Italy; in April 1945 Harold Macmillan, British resident minister, complained that London followed "childish au

tonomy towards the Italians," and Ellwood emphasizes British "vindictive ness. . . a kind of malevolent inertia which set the tone of the occupation."

MOUNTBATTEN: A BIOGRAPHY. By Philip Ziegler. New York: Knopf, 1985, 784 pp. $24.95.

The authorized biography of privilege incarnate?and disciplined. The

Mountbattens were a legend in their lifetime: his royal blood and dashing eminence, her wealth and good looks, their glittering presence. A seasoned

biographer, mastering enviable caches of private papers, reconstructs a

grand life: Mountbatten's rise to the highest posts in World War II, as last

viceroy of India, as postwar chief of the defense staff. Ziegler discusses the

many criticisms leveled against Mountbatten, acknowledges his many weak

nesses, but is fascinated by this great man and his meteoric career. He

concentrates on the public Mountbatten but understands the private life as

well: the arrogance, vanity, impetuosity, vulnerability, the marriage of

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