The Cult of the Nation in France: Inventing Nationalism, 1680–1800 - by David A. Bell

Bell’s book examines the birth and rise of nationalism in France from the late 17th century to the dawn of the French Revolution. He argues that French nationalism was not a sudden development but rather the result of a long process of invention and construction. Bell explores how the French state, intellectuals, and cultural figures fostered a sense of national identity through symbols, rituals, and narratives.