History's Great Defeats - The French Revolution: The Fall of the Monarchy

by John M. Dunn

The Old Regime ruled France for centuries. Comprised of a monarchy, aristocracy, and high-ranking church officials, this tiny elite alone set the rules for Europe's most sophisticated nation. Corrupted by power and wealth, it also bestowed upon itself power, wealth, and privileges denied to the vast majority of France's 25 million people. But by the late 18th century, big trouble brewed for the Old Regime. Motivated by national bankruptcy, food shortages, widespread discontent, and an intellectual crusade known as the Enlightenment, the French people brought down the Old Regime. They also unleashed one of history's most violent revolutions--one that shook the world.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

John M. Dunn is an Ocala, Florida-based freelance, writer, journalist and author. He has published over 350 articles for more than twenty periodicals, such as Europe, Overseas Life, Sierra, Off Duty, New Shelter, the Rotarian, LadyCom, the Executive Review, Florida Trend, Business Florida, the Ocala Star Banner, UF Today, and the St. Petersburg Times. In addition, he has written numerous scripts for audiovisual productions and a children’s play which was professionally performed on stages in North Florida. His non-fiction young adult books were published by Lucent Press (Thomson/Gale.) Dunn also edited Union Soldiers, Confederate Soldiers, Southerners, and Northerners, which are part of the Voices of the Civil War series for juvenile readers, published by Blackbirch Press.

The New York Public Library recognized the first edition of Dunn’s book on the removal of North America Indians in its Books for the Teenage List; the second edition received a stared review from the School Library Journal in May 2006. The Pennsylvania State Library Association included Dunn’s book on computers in its “Young Adult Top Forty Nonfiction 2002 Titles.” In addition, The Barahoma Center of California State University San Marcos features his book on Castro in its list of “Recommended Books in English about Latinos.” . In February, 2020, Dunn’s book, Drying Up. The Fresh Water Crisis in Florida was selected as winner of the Florida Historical Society's Stetson Kennedy Award for writing about Florida's natural environment. The book also, has won the Bronze Medal in the 2019 Florida Book Awards, Florida Nonfiction category He has also been profiled in Something About the Author.

He is a father and grandfather and lives with his wife in Ocala, Florida.

Reviews

[Riley Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading these books(John M. Dunn, Sean Connolly), despite my usual dislike of nonfiction. It was interesting to experience such a pivotal point in history. Now, I have the chance to compare and contrast the two takes on the story of the Revolution.

First off: the authors. It doesn't take much craft to write nonfiction, but I would like to discuss the organization in which the information is presented. In Dunn's version, each chapter focuses on a subject, usually very broad, and elaborates on that subject and its presence throughout the entire Revolution. However, Connolly's book is written in chapters that are organized by chronological events (all chapters being 2 pages exactly). On the subject of qualifications, Connolly had an extensive liberal arts education from Williams College, and has released numerous children's books about history. They both have done a great job of summarizing and organizing these events. I also include a link to a review that I found helpful on demonstrating the craft of Connolly's book (www.goodreads.com/review/show/279374048).

The second subject I felt important to address about these books is the subject matter. I think that themes from any Revolutionary novel or retelling would include unrest, anger, uprising, and especially death. "Thousands of spectators watched as a bladed killing device called the guillotine lopped off the king's head"(Dunn 8). Dunn's retelling opens with this eerie depiction of many of these themes. Crowds of ordinary Parisians witnessing these executions daily, and eagerly. The stories each tell of the back-story of the economic, social, and political problems that led to the blood and anger. Although both books were a success, providing me with the knowledge i sought, I preferred Dunn's retelling. Connolly's was too short for my taste and seemed to be intended for a younger audience.

I think that reading these books was a positive experience for me. This was a very interesting and important period in history. I am more and more intrigued every day, as I see history repeating itself before our very eyes.