The French Revolution

by Linda S. Frey, Marsha L. Frey

The French Revolution has often been perceived as the dawn of the modern era, the divide between the ancien régime and the contemporary world. It is an undeniably crucial event in the history of Western Civilization. Yet it is also a confusing and oft-misunderstood event. This comprehensive examination of the Revolution provides students with a narrative historical overview, essays on major aspects of the event, lengthy biographical profiles of key persons, the text of important primary documents contemporary to the time, a timeline, a glossary, and an annotated bibliography of print and electronic sources suitable to students. This is an ideal starting point for students and general readers interested in this fascinating historical period.

Marsha and Linda Frey, noted French historians, place the French Revolution in historical and social context for the reader. In addition to a historical overview, other essays explore the deterioration of the ancien régime and the birth of the revolution, the Terror, the culture of the Revolution, Revolution-era diplomacy, and the ambiguous legacy of the Revolution. Biographical portraits range from Louis XVI to Robespierre and from Danton to Lafayette. Primary documents such as the Declaration of the Rights of Man, excerpts from the memoirs of French minister Miot de Melito, and Englishman William Eden's description of Revolutionary France bring to life the political, cultural, and emotional upheaval that was the French Revolution. Illustrations from contemporary sources add a valuable visual component to this all-in-one reference source.

216 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2000

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically an essay on the French Revolution.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very compact yet thorough account of the major events, ideas, and players of the French Revolution. It comes complete with a timeline, several chapters about the events, ideologies, and effects of the revolution, a section with brief biographical information on the key players of the French Revolution, an extensive compilation of the text of many relevant documents, and a glossary of terms. Because this book covers so much in such a short space, the inevitable result is that the content can be quite dense. I think it would make a wonderful supplement to a course on French history. As recreational reading it was a bit heavy, but still enjoyable for anyone who has an interest in the subject matter.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

My new subject of fascination . . . I skimmed this short history pretty quickly but it was interesting and helped fill in some background for me about the history of the time. I had not realized how completely radical the Revolution was, even viewed from our time, or what a huge effect it had on European history.