The Last Revolutionaries: The Conspiracy Trial of Gracchus Babeuf and the Equals

by Laura Mason

The story of a poor man and radical activist who fought to revive the French Revolution, and whose failure heralded the republic’s defeat
 
“Very much a book for our times. Mason’s retelling of the trial of Gracchus Babeuf and the French Revolution shows how democracies end. Historians of revolutions and all those concerned with the arc of social justice movements have much to learn from this remarkable story.”—Sophia Rosenfeld, University of Pennsylvania
 
Laura Mason tells a new story about the French Revolution by exploring the trial of Gracchus Babeuf. Named by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels as the “first modern communist,” Babeuf was a poor man, an autodidact, and an activist accused of conspiring to reignite the Revolution and renew political terror. In one of the lengthiest and most controversial trials of the revolutionary decade, Babeuf and his allies defended political liberty and social equality against a regime they accused of tyranny. Mason refracts national political life through Babeuf’s trial to reveal how this explosive event destabilized a fragile republic. Although the French Revolution is celebrated as a founding moment of modern representative government, this book reminds us that the experiment failed in just ten years. Mason explains how an elected government’s assault on popular democracy and social justice destroyed the republic, and why that matters now.

Genres: History, French Revolution, France

304 pages, Hardcover

Published May 24, 2022

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fair warning: if you care at all about "the arc of social justice movements," or "equality," or any of the buzz-words thrown at you in the book description you will be sorely disappointed. Mason's point of view is that of a free-market enthusiast wondering why "we can't all get along."

My full review is here:
https://www.academia.edu/83482631/Fre...

Caveat emptor.

[Alec · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only learned about Babeuf and the Conspiracy of Equals through short summaries, mostly that the Conspiracy and its leaders were a small, secretive clique of proto-communists. This is the best kind of popular history, weaving a biography of Babeuf and his inspiring and heart-breaking political awakening and career, combined with a broad history of the Directory period of the French Revolution. It gives a contextualized account of the Equals, their trial, and the myths and interpretations of their actions which sprung up in the aftermath of the trial. I cannot recommend this book enough, particularly for anyone interested in the end of the French Revolution and the birth of modern socialist thought.

[Kelly Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What this books sometimes lacks in excitement and clarity, it makes up for with the uniqueness of its subject & amazing source material. The story of Babeuf differs that that of most revolutionary figures, and so does the trajectory of his story. Though he meets the same fate as many others, the Vendome trials, Directory politics, impoverished family, etc. all provide a glimpse into a much less covered period and experience of the French Revolution.

[Luka · Rating 4 out of 5]

when i seen laura mason was gone publish this contemporary retelling of one of my favorite characters i was so excited. the book totally lives up to my hype. she consistently introduces sources i didn’t know existed.