One of the most enduring images of Quebec’s Quiet Revolution is of Charles de Gaulle proclaiming “Vive le Québec libre!” from the balcony of Montreal City Hall in 1967. The French president’s provocative act laid bare Canada’s unity crisis and has dominated interpretations of the Canada-Quebec-France triangle ever since.

With Friends like These demystifies this cri du balcon by shifting the focus from de Gaulle to the broader domestic and international forces at play. Meren traces the evolution of Quebec’s special relationship with France after the Second World War and reveals that the resulting clash of nationalisms – French, Québécois, and Canadian -- was fuelled not only by personalities and events but also by the efforts to respond to the power and influence of the United States in an increasingly interconnected world. By seeking to understand, rather than simply condemn, aspects of Quebec, Gaullist, and Canadian nationalism, Meren casts doubt on established interpretations of events and exposes the complexity of a growing international interest in Canadian affairs.