Illuminating, engrossing and full of surprises, "The Discovery of France" is a literary exploration of a country few will recognize; from maps and migration to magic, language and landscape, it's a book that reveals the 'real' past of France to tell the whole story - and history - of this remarkable nation. 'With gloriously apposite facts and an abundance of quirky anecdotes and thumbnail sketches of people, places and customs, Robb, on brilliant form, takes us on a stunning journey through the historical landscape of France' - "Independent". 'Certain books strain the patience of those close to you. How many times can you demand: 'Look at this! Can you imagine? Did you know that?' without actually handing over the volume? This is such a book' - "Mail on Sunday". 'An extraordinary journey of discovery that will delight even the most indolent armchair traveller' - "Daily Telegraph".

格雷厄姆•罗布（Graham Robb），英国作家、历史学家。一九五八年六月出生于英国曼彻斯特。一九八七年至一九九〇年间担任牛津大学埃克塞特学院研究员一职，自一九九八年起成为英国皇家文学学会会员。二〇〇九年被授予法兰西艺术与文学勋章骑士勋位，二〇一二年被授予巴黎市金质奖章。

罗布出版有多部法国文学与历史方面的著作。他于一九九七年出版的传记体文学作品《维克多•雨果》（Victor Hugo）获得英国皇家文学学会颁发的海涅曼图书奖（Heinemann Award）和惠特布雷德传记奖（Whitbread Biography Award），二〇〇〇年出版的《兰波》（Rimbaud）一书入围塞缪尔•约翰逊奖（Samuel Johnson Prize）最终候选名单。本书（《探索法国》）继二〇〇七年获得达夫•库珀奖（Duff Cooper Prize）后，于二〇〇八年荣膺英国皇家文学学会颁发的翁达杰奖（Ondaatje Prize）。新作《巴黎人：探寻巴黎历史的神奇之旅》（Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris）荣登《星期日泰晤士报》（Sunday Times）十大畅销书榜单。