The French Revolution

A Very Short Introduction, 2nd Edition

By: William Doyle

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

The French Revolution is a time of history made familiar from Dickens, Baroness Orczy, and Tolstoy, as well as the legends of let them eat cake, and tricolors. Beginning in 1789, this period of extreme political and social unrest saw the end of the French monarchy, the death of an extraordinary number of people beneath the guillotine's blade during the Terror, and the rise of Napoleon, as well as far reaching consequences still with us today, such as the enduring ideology of human rights, and decimalization.

In this Very Short Introduction, William Doyle introduces the French old regime and considers how and why it collapsed. Retelling the unfolding events of the revolution, he analyzes why the revolutionaries quarreled with the king, the church, and the rest of Europe, why this produced Terror, and finally how it accomplished rule by a general. Doyle also discusses how and why the revolution destroyed the age-old cultural, institutional, and social structures in France and beyond. In this new edition, Doyle includes new sections highlighting the main developments in the field since the first edition, before exploring the legacy of the revolution in the form of rationality in public affairs and responsible government.

©2019 William Doyle (P)2021 Tantor

A Solid Overview - Good for the Uninitiated

Doyle’s introduction to the French Revolution accomplishes precisely what it set out to do - provide an overview of a complex topic for the uninitiated audience. I️ wonder if the other reviewers even completed their reading before giving an opinion! At any rate, if you want a place to begin a study on this intense cultural moment, this short work sets you at the crossroads and gives you direction.

From the outset of its historical memory, the French Revolution proved a contentious platform as variegated in its understanding as the revolutionaries themselves. Early Jacobin interpretation, taken up later by the Marxist school, argued that economic disparities and perpetual class struggle flowed into an eruption of revolutionary force felt the world over. Others, following Burke, observed in the Revolution a revolt from traditional order with troubling consequences. Tocqueville, looking downstream from the first reactionary observers, saw a revolt of freedom, equality, but little liberty.

To what Doyle recognizes as the “revisitionist school” of the 20th century, the void in power served to provide opportunity for a complete authoritarianism. Napoleon was then a necessary consequence of the revolution that was. In some sense, an ancient torch of absolute monarchy had been torn from its lampstand and the masses were left crawling in the dark. Not that the destruction could be considered a negative event. Nevertheless, the power vacuum left in the wake of Robespierre and the reign of terror, and the general lameness of the Directory, left a need for law and order which Napoleon indeed provided.

This brings me to the main critique of this otherwise fine work. Doyle’s treatment of Napoleon’s rise to power is perhaps the weakest point on the whole. It’s understandable that a short overview would need to leave off certain elements for sake of time. Even so, if you need a militaristic history your study might be improved through supplemental material, which the hard copy of Very Short Introductions provide. Albeit one could argue that the Napoleonic Wars fall beyond the scope of this particular book.

In summary, a fine review of the fundamental elements of the French Revolution and it’s broader historiography. I’d recommend it, as I️ would most in this series, for those unfamiliar with the subject looking for a guide. In my personal opinion: start here, then struggle through Burke, ponder upon Tocqueville, and enjoy Carlyle as a treat. The subject matter is indeed timely!

Stinker. I returned this book

Not really a history. More of a rambling discussion. Disappointing after reading the description. Don't waste your money.