Testimony

This work brings together material from three books Sarkozy has already published in France. "Testimony: France in the Twenty First Century" (Pantheon), combined material from the first two of these three books. These two volumes are entitled "Libre" (Free in French), an autobiographical account of Sarkozy's rise to power within the French political system, and "Temoignage" (Testimony in French), a book setting forth Sarkozy's ideas for a new domestic as well as foreign policy for France.This book includes this material, but updated, as well as additional material from the third book, "Ensemble" (Together), a manifesto of principle and policy that Sarkozy published in France just before the election this spring. None of these three books has appeared in its entirety in English translation. Our book also includes material drawn from a major foreign policy speech, an update post-election of all chapters, and a new preface - 3,000 to 4,000 words long-to be based on an original interview with Sarkozy by Philip H. Gordon, the translator and editor. "Testimony" focuses on such questions as what Sarkozy's pro-American stance will mean for France's traditionally independent foreign policy, how his own vision for Europe will affect other members of the European Union, and the ways in which he proposes to reform French society.Two elements in the book are notable. The first is Sarkozy's stated admiration for the United States, which is unorthodox for a French leader. The second is his unusual candor about France's failings. Over the past quarter century, he argues, France has become a stagnant society that has destroyed the value of work and deluded itself into thinking that its welfare system is sustainable. While the rest of Europe has tried to adapt to globalization, France has denied it, hiding behind a damaging credo of anti-liberalism. Sarkozy promises to reinvent France's social model in order to revive economic growth. Optimistic about France, he insists that the country is impatient, exasperated by delays, and eager for profound change.