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Revolutions: How They Changed History and What They Mean Today
Whether it’s because their rhetoric—“liberty, fraternity, equality”—articulates those ideals to which we most aspire, or because we are shocked by the destructive forces that are unleashed when social conventions break down, revolutions hold a distinct place in the popular imagination. And while all revolutions are born of civil unrest, each is unique in that it’s a product of its time, its society, and its people, and the outcomes vary dramatically, from liberal reform to cruel dictatorship.
In Revolutions, the follow-up to the bestselling Histories of Nations, twenty-four leading historians—most writing about their country of origin—consider global revolutions, from England’s Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the American Revolution in 1776 to the Irish Revolution in the early twentieth century and the Arab Spring of 2011. Reflecting not only on their causes, crises, and outcomes, but also on their legacies and implications in today’s society, these historians answer key questions: What were the main events and dominant ideologies? Who were the leading protagonists? Are revolutionary pasts remembered critically in national history, mythologized, or even hidden? And why?
Authoritative and enlightening, Revolutions reflects on the events, ideologies, and legacies of twenty-four revolutions from the seventeenth century to the present day, providing an overview of some of the most politically significant events in modern history.
In Revolutions, the follow-up to the bestselling Histories of Nations, twenty-four leading historians—most writing about their country of origin—consider global revolutions, from England’s Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the American Revolution in 1776 to the Irish Revolution in the early twentieth century and the Arab Spring of 2011. Reflecting not only on their causes, crises, and outcomes, but also on their legacies and implications in today’s society, these historians answer key questions: What were the main events and dominant ideologies? Who were the leading protagonists? Are revolutionary pasts remembered critically in national history, mythologized, or even hidden? And why?
Authoritative and enlightening, Revolutions reflects on the events, ideologies, and legacies of twenty-four revolutions from the seventeenth century to the present day, providing an overview of some of the most politically significant events in modern history.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published September 29, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 13, 2021
An interesting collections of essays exploring a wide selection of revolutions, focused particularly on their historical significance. It’s a great whistle-stop-tour which I can see being super useful if constructing a course in revolutions, or looking for comparative case studies. The structure of the text means that each revolution is explored relatively superficially, but the collection makes thematic connections well. Probably a History teacher niche read; I enjoyed it.
January 14, 2022
A good cursory look at a number of revolutions that have occurred throughout history.
The book gave itself a big challenge: to adequately assess each revolution (and their impacts on the modern world) very very concisely.
I think it did an OK job but so many chapters left open so many questions that begged more information. The chapter on the Arab Spring mainly focused on Egypt and hardly any other events. The Orange Revolution barely discussed Crimea. It is difficult to ask such a big question (what is the legacy of this revolution?) in chapters that sometimes barely reach 8 pages.
This book is ideal if you have a good background understanding of the narrative of these revolutions, and are looking for brief analytical assessments.
But to truly understand the complexities and the impacts, you should read a book dedicated to each revolution.
The book gave itself a big challenge: to adequately assess each revolution (and their impacts on the modern world) very very concisely.
I think it did an OK job but so many chapters left open so many questions that begged more information. The chapter on the Arab Spring mainly focused on Egypt and hardly any other events. The Orange Revolution barely discussed Crimea. It is difficult to ask such a big question (what is the legacy of this revolution?) in chapters that sometimes barely reach 8 pages.
This book is ideal if you have a good background understanding of the narrative of these revolutions, and are looking for brief analytical assessments.
But to truly understand the complexities and the impacts, you should read a book dedicated to each revolution.
November 14, 2022
I have finished reading “Revolutions” by Peter Furtado.
This is a book that consists of several essays by authors from around the world discussing political revolutions that have happened in their countries, and their contemporary significance.
What counts as a revolution? Does their meaning change over time? Do they unite more than they divide or the opposite? These are the questions that are addressed in this book.
On the whole I thought the quality of the essays were very high. Although at times I felt perhaps a bit of a discussion about their cultural significance in the different countries discussed may have helped. What I found particularly interesting were the essays discussing how certain revolutions had resonance today. Some of them like the French Revolution provoke a range of different emotions from different countrymen, from pride to embarrassment. Some such as Pol Pot’s revolution in Cambodia has left a legacy of bitterness and hardship that those who survived them do their best to forget.
One of the things I liked most about this book was that it told the story of lesser known revolutions such as the Vietnam’s first attempt at becoming independent from the French. I also enjoyed the chapter about Portugal’s Carnation Revolution, which not only led to democracy in Portugal but also the independence of Portugal’s colonies. Many of those revolutions were either protracted over months and years. To the credit of the author’s, they generally did a good job in trying to chart the course of the protracted revolutions, although anyone would have a tough job clearly explaining the Mexican Revolution.
I was inspired to read this book after reading “Histories of Nations” which was a collection of essays about different countries by authors from those countries. Honestly, I would say that I enjoyed the previous book more than this one. The quality of the essays seemed to vary more with this book. And in some places this book was oddly structured. For instance, there was a chapter both on Poland’s revolution in 1989 and Eastern Europe over the same period, which seemed like a missed opportunity to have another country have a say. The Arab Spring 2011 essay was almost exclusively a blow by blow account of Egypt’s Revolution, absent of a wider discussion of what it meant to Arab’s generally and the wider background for it.
That said this book is unique and gave valuable accounts of many revolutions, some that deserve more attention than they get.
This is a book that consists of several essays by authors from around the world discussing political revolutions that have happened in their countries, and their contemporary significance.
What counts as a revolution? Does their meaning change over time? Do they unite more than they divide or the opposite? These are the questions that are addressed in this book.
On the whole I thought the quality of the essays were very high. Although at times I felt perhaps a bit of a discussion about their cultural significance in the different countries discussed may have helped. What I found particularly interesting were the essays discussing how certain revolutions had resonance today. Some of them like the French Revolution provoke a range of different emotions from different countrymen, from pride to embarrassment. Some such as Pol Pot’s revolution in Cambodia has left a legacy of bitterness and hardship that those who survived them do their best to forget.
One of the things I liked most about this book was that it told the story of lesser known revolutions such as the Vietnam’s first attempt at becoming independent from the French. I also enjoyed the chapter about Portugal’s Carnation Revolution, which not only led to democracy in Portugal but also the independence of Portugal’s colonies. Many of those revolutions were either protracted over months and years. To the credit of the author’s, they generally did a good job in trying to chart the course of the protracted revolutions, although anyone would have a tough job clearly explaining the Mexican Revolution.
I was inspired to read this book after reading “Histories of Nations” which was a collection of essays about different countries by authors from those countries. Honestly, I would say that I enjoyed the previous book more than this one. The quality of the essays seemed to vary more with this book. And in some places this book was oddly structured. For instance, there was a chapter both on Poland’s revolution in 1989 and Eastern Europe over the same period, which seemed like a missed opportunity to have another country have a say. The Arab Spring 2011 essay was almost exclusively a blow by blow account of Egypt’s Revolution, absent of a wider discussion of what it meant to Arab’s generally and the wider background for it.
That said this book is unique and gave valuable accounts of many revolutions, some that deserve more attention than they get.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2022
While I was disappointed to see no discussion of common features/pitfalls of revolutionary movements, the collection can work as a general introduction to some of the revolutions of the last 200 years, though by no means a comprehensive list of all of them. The aim is clearly to succinctly introduce each one and speak of its precursors and legacies, though each contributor has different criteria for what to emphasize. While the entries are usually interesting they really leave the reader wanting for a more detailed treatment of its subject (perhaps the reasoning behind the lengthy “Further Reading” list).
November 7, 2024
A História não se reduz a uma narrativa factual dum conjunto de acontecimentos narrados em tom jornalístico. Requer objetividade, visão crítica sustentada, imparcialidade ideológica e rigor perante o que se procura construir como suporte à historiografia. Neste caso a historiografia das revoluções. Este livro pugna pelo oposto nada acrescentando ao estudo da História e da historiografia das Revoluções.
June 26, 2022
If you know what to expect, it’s a pretty good read. I expected to read a bunch of very short/concise mini-essays on different revolutions throughout history; it’s exactly what I wanted at the time.
However, it doesn’t give any justice to pretty much any of the revolutions. It just offers a brief synopsis, sometimes some decent claims made, and an overarching reminder of what happened in history.
It did lead to me to watch some unique documentaries on the history channel and explore some of these further in my own way. Also, I did like the additional paragraphs on revolutionary leaders with a brief timeline at the end of each chapter.
However, it doesn’t give any justice to pretty much any of the revolutions. It just offers a brief synopsis, sometimes some decent claims made, and an overarching reminder of what happened in history.
It did lead to me to watch some unique documentaries on the history channel and explore some of these further in my own way. Also, I did like the additional paragraphs on revolutionary leaders with a brief timeline at the end of each chapter.
January 7, 2024
the content itself was very interesting; i’m happy i stuck with it because i learnt about so many parts of history that i didn’t even know about before. that being said, the writing nearly bored me to tears - a classic case of academics not knowing how to write in an engaging way. some chapters were better than others because they are all written by different academics, but overall i’m surprised i even managed to finish it. and i have read a lot of history books!!
June 16, 2021
A good ready- almost a collection of short stories through history.
Due to each revolution being written by a different writer, there is a general lack of cohesion. Furtado tries to mitigate this by introducing each one, but there is a general lack of flow to the book.
Overall though, an interesting pick up!
Due to each revolution being written by a different writer, there is a general lack of cohesion. Furtado tries to mitigate this by introducing each one, but there is a general lack of flow to the book.
Overall though, an interesting pick up!
January 6, 2023
Fantastic, easy-to-read introduction to a variety of revolutions that have shaped the way we see the world today. A great way for people to start exploring both history and international relations genres, especially with a further reading list provided at the end.
March 21, 2024
The essays are terrific, but it could really have used a fulsome wrap-up.
June 8, 2025
An excellent and all encompassing overview of revolutions from the time of the Glorious Revolution in England. Very interesting and well written.
February 8, 2025
Important read, bit hard to follow along sometimes, could have been written in a more approachable way.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews