Product Description

This concise yet rich introduction to the French Revolution explores the origins, development, and eventual decline of a movement that defines France to this day. Through an accessible chronological narrative, Sylvia Neely explains the complex events, conflicting groups, and rapid changes that characterized this critical period in French history. She traces the fundamental transformations in government and society that forced the French to come up with new ways of thinking about their place in the world, ultimately leading to liberalism, conservatism, terrorism, and modern nationalism. Written with clarity and nuance, this work will be an engaging and rewarding exploration for all readers interested in France and revolutionary history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #743381 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Customer Reviews

Excellent, clear overview
This is a very clear overview of the French Revolution, from a short description of the Ancien Regime and the origins of the Revolution to Napoleon's assumption of power. The author mentions in passing some of the scholarly debates on the pivotal moments of the era, and highlights points of interest, which the reader may want to investigate more closely. But she manages to maintain a very balanced view and a fairly quick pace; one never loses track of the overall course of events. Neely says in her introduction this is a book intended for someone to begin a study of the Revolution, and it allows someone to form enough of an understanding of the general course so that upon further investigation they will have the necessary background. That is exactly right, I think. I came to this book as a student, not as an expert; for someone in the same position, I would recommend it very highly.

Excellent Starting Point
This book is an excellent starting point for a deeper consideration of this important event. I found this concise and highly-readable overview of events, personalities and forces to be an excellent introduction to the topic and one that will only make reading the likes of Carlyle and others more meaningful. Making history approachable, like this fine author has done, is a good thing.