Translation of: De la fête impériale au mur des fédérés, 1852-1871.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 181-190) and index.
1 The regime of Napoleon III 1 -- 2 The political personnel and political life of the Second Empire 25 -- 3 Economic progress and change 58 -- 4 Living standards, life styles and attitudes 98 -- 5 The good years, 1852-61 132 -- 6 Decline and fall 152