The Great Fear of 1789

by Georges Lefebvre

Describes conditions in the spring and summer of 1789 that gave rise to fear and panic among the French peasants

Genres: History, France, French Revolution, Nonfiction

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1932

About the author

Georges Lefebvre was a French historian, best known for his work on the French Revolution and peasant life.

Reviews

[Emily]

An account of revolutionary direct actions from the point of view of the oppressed. Phenomenal history, a must-read, particularly for anyone interested in how a self-help and mutual-defense movement came into focus over 200 years before cell phones and twitter.

For concurrent noble/bourgeois machinations, see
http://www.revolutionspodcast.com/201...

[Tim Kellett]

I am unfortunately too stupid to read books like this anymore.

[Michael]

Un livre de référence qui apporte un éclairage sociaux-économique des causes de la révolution de 1789, loin de certains clichés ou raccourcis.

[Drew Witte]

A little too plodding but that might’ve been the point

[aplmoatonton]

Ouvrage de référence sur la question. Lefebvre est le premier à avoir théorisé et identifié le phénomène. Presque 100 ans après et toujours indispensable.