[.ca] Modern Algeria: The Origins and Development of a Nation (ISBN 0253217822)

a classic:
Ruedy builds his history of modern Algeria the old-fashioned way, from the ground up, focusing on economic and social movements and the rise of the Algerian nationalist movement. He is especially strong on the disastrous economic and social effects of the 130-year French occupation and the way in which these disruptions paved the way for modern Algerian nationalism. Readers who are suspicious of state-based nationalisms will no doubt question the overarching narrative, with its focus on the inexorable rise of an Algerian nation-state; still, Ruedy makes a compelling case that the nationalist paradigm of Algerian history has a lot going for it. This book should be a standard reference for anyone interested in Algerian history or politics.