Threshold of Terror: The Last Hours of the Monarchy in the French Revolution

by Rodney Allen

Using several little-known documents, including eye-witness accounts of Swiss Guards who had tried to save the ill-fated King Louis XVI, Allen (former reader in history at Oxford) details the 24 hours from August 9 to the evening of the 10th, 1792, which were so critical in provoking the Reign of Terror. On this day the constitutionalists abandoned the king, leaving him open for arrest and eventually death by guillotine, along with over 40,000 other "enemies" of the radical factions over the next two years. Allen focuses on the human side of the events, including discussions of how a number of witnesses escaped death and succeeded in leaving France. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Genres: History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Other than an interesting story of a prostitute named Theroigne de Mericourt who showed up at the National Assembly dressed as an Amazon most of this book is like a dry but informative text book.

It's populated with so many names that they begin to blur. It can also be confusing as to who is on which side at first but the myriad stories eventually make it clear. I also highly suggest one should do some study of the areas and streets of Paris or you may be googling a lot as I did.

The research is solid and if you need to do a study on the 24 hour period of the last hours of the Monarchy this book is a treasure trove of people's letters, memoirs and recollections. For most people I would give this book a pass.