This book provides a new analysis of the contested history of one of the most violent wars of decolonisation of the twentieth century - the Algerian War/ the Algerian Revolution between 1954 and 1962. It brings together an engaging account of its origins, course and legacies with an incisive examination of how interpretations of the conflict have shifted and why it continues to provoke intense debate. Locating the war in a century-long timeframe stretching from 1914 to the present, it multiplies the perspectives from which events can be seen. The pronouncements of politicians are explored alongside the testimony of rural women who provided logistical support for guerrillas in the National Liberation Front. The broader context of decolonisation and the Cold War is considered alongside the experiences of colonised men serving in the French army. Unpacking the historiography of the end of a colonial empire, the rise of anti-colonial nationalism and their post-colonial aftermaths, itprovides an accessible insight into how history is written.
"Vince has made an admirable contribution to understanding the shaping of historical writing. It emphasizes how necessary it is to account for the political and social concerns of the period in which the work is written without forgetting the agenda of the author. It will serve as a critical tool for researchers and students interested in the Algerian War and its legacy." (Patricia M. E. Lorcin, Journal of Modern History, Vol. 95 (3), September, 2023)