Currently reading Thomas Carlyle about the French Revolution (1837 - the book)
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1301/1301-h/1301-h.htm
Weird style, really interesting read so far (the kingdom is looking for money and can't get the richest to help it...)
It comes as a relief in a way, as the author ain't French at all.
I do not trust French accounts on French history, and I needed a global view with traces of fiction.
I don't seem to have any recollection at all of my country's history prior to WW1 and bits of things scattered here and there.
I shall move on to:
Frederick Exley - A Fans' Notes
Jean-Luc Benoziglio - Beno s'en va-t-en guerre
Steve Tesich - Karoo