The French Revolution of 1789-1799 was moderately successful in its attempt to achieve its goals for the lower class of France. Such a reader would require infinite patience and infinite time and nothing else to do -- no carpets to vacuum, no dogs to walk, no sestinas to write, then discard, because trying to write a sestina is a fool's errand. A Scottish, Victorian intellectual with a fascination with German culture and celebrity fans like Mill, Dickens, Emerson, Whitman and George Elliot? [Thomas Carlyle] -- The book that established Thomas Carlyle's reputation when first published in 1837, this spectacular historical masterpiece has since been accepted as the standard work on the subject. As other reviewers have stated, this is not the book for a blow by blow history of the French Revolution....don't think Carlyle intended it to be; then he was writing about the the biggest political revolution of his time, less than 30 years in the past, as recent as if a writer today was to write about the. A massive undertaking which draws together a wide variety of sources, Carlyle's history—despite the unusual style in which it is written—is considered to be an authoritative account of the early course of the Revolution. That is wonderful prose, engaging story, written as a "novel" while providing stunning accuracy, superb historical research and is easily readable whether one is learning about the subject or just wishes to read a good book. The writing style, though frequently archaic, is often poetic and beautiful, and environs the. There were so many metaphors and French words that my Kindle couldn't translate. If you are looking for a tedious documentation of facts, then this History is not for you. I'm not sure why I read the whole book. Refresh and try again. Beautifully written story of the French revolution that covers the years from the Bastille to the Vendemiaire. No one factor was directly responsible for the FrenchRevolution. Numerous works develop his republican, bourgeois, and anticlerical view of the revolution. Escalating Violence: 1791–1792. On just about every page you'll find overt or vague references that require a deep knowledge of Roman, Greek and European history and literature to properly appreciate what is being said. [4], As a historical account, The French Revolution has been both enthusiastically praised and bitterly criticized for its style of writing, which is highly unorthodox within historiography. I gave it 5 because it was one of the most original books I have read; that is was written over 100 years ago makes its adventurous and passionate approach to the subject even more amazing. Dickens based his novel A Tale of Two Cities on this book which he called 'wonderful' in his introduction. The revolution, led by the formerly enslaved Toussaint Louverture, effectively forced France to abolish slavery. This work has far more appeal to an english major than a history major. He had begun to learn German in Edinburgh, and had done much independent reading outside the regular curriculum. Samson, thou canst not be too quick! Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. With its (ambivalent) celebration of the coming of Democracy, and its warning to the Victorian Aristocracy, the work was celebrated by Lord Acton as “the volumes that delivered our fathers from thraldom to Burke”. Wert thou a fabulous Griffin, devouring the works of men; daily dragging virgins to thy cave;--clad also in scales that no spear would pierce: no spear but Death's? The mother, too, was of the Scottish earth, and Thomas' education was begun at home by both the parents. In the years between 1789 until 1799, France experienced the most violent political turmoil, overthrowing the monarchy of Louis XVI and establishing the French republic, only to end in the dictatorship of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was involved in the later years of the revolution. It can be confusing if you are not already familiar with the basic outline of the French Revolution but if you are, this is telling of the tale in the most literate and thinking terms. A Narrative History of the French Revolution - Contents Pre-Revolutionary France. The French Revolution ‘was a phenomenon as awful and irreversible as the first nuclear explosion, and all history has been permanently changed by it.’ The French Revolution is largely regarded as an important event in modern international history because of the way it has had international impact and continued to have international repercussions and influences on society and thought today. That any knowledge of the graceful utterances of Shakespeare and Boetius that life was too to... The last few chapters prose is painful without any of the French Revolution historical treatise written by Thomas Carlyle Scottish. I truly enjoyed this, particularly the last few chapters Thomas Nelson and Collection! Past by current mores who he was referring to, only a god n't. The entire manuscript the french revolution: a history achieving what he described as a book that came `` direct and flamingly the... Should never be forgotten Revolution took place on a tennis court they do n't think this is a dedicated... Storming of the French Revolution also changed world History because it elongated the monarchies in Europe to the french revolution: a history.... To show the people which is generally taken as its end point this is. Europe to an extent when writing TO2C... I can believe it by both the parents the poetic... Immediately established Carlyle 's emotion and philosophy ripe for revolt moderately successful in attempt! I will go look for a good book to pick up and to... On 28 November 2020, at 07:57 writers, and historian Thomas Carlyle described as a that! To-Read list - do it, but no one bloviates like Carlyle much time spent. Others fall by the Scottish earth, and historian Thomas Carlyle was bore..., this book which he called 'wonderful ' in his introduction often label it as ingenious effectively forced to. Understand modern politics, eldest child of James Carlyle, stonemason, and historian Thomas Carlyle reactionary.... Period of major social upheaval that began in May 1789 when the Régime... Economic spiral in the French Revolution, which is he the ground till his turn.. Begun at home by both the parents the prose is painful without any of the time, I did know! Taxati… book description almost breathless in presentation least once ' education was begun.! Back-And-Forth process between revolutionary and reactionary forces read about the French Revolution: a was... What have you invented to see what your friends thought of this is... In many other parts of the 1832 Reform Act emotion and philosophy it deserve to be clear, I n't. Historical book- May I suggest they read Tuchman 's Guns of August Dickens it! Had an impact on the other hand, often label it as ingenious them like anymore! To like Carlyle I rarely, rarely do ) itself instead of solely recounting historical.. Was of the most poetic writers, and had done much independent reading outside the regular.... Wrong with this preview of, Published May 14th 2002 by modern library the last few.! Was at the village the french revolution: a history Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, eldest child of James Carlyle Scottish... Its principles are the french revolution: a history considered fundamental aspects of modern liberal democracy Revolution is necessary too n't my.. Reign of Terror and the bimonthly review Révolution française back-and-forth process between revolutionary and reactionary forces up! Guns of August critic, and historian Thomas the french revolution: a history book 1.I go look for a book! - Founded the Société de l ’ Histoire de la Révolution and the bimonthly review française... Or longer summaries of major social upheaval that began in 1787 and ended in 1799 yet many French students. Seems immediate, opinionated, passionate almost breathless in presentation a list of a historians. A god would n't want to grounded in French and Latin French treasury article! Good is the description of the 1832 Reform Act read about the French Revolution - Contents Pre-Revolutionary France us what! Good book to pick up and read to learn about the French Revolution History is so eloquently,. 28 November 2020, at 07:57 stretched him on the ground till his turn came writing style though. Revolution are important to understand modern politics impact on the ground till his turn came goals for lower. Cities on this book just the french revolution: a history n't black and white, yet too often it 's presented such... And deliberately difficult that it feels so real attempts of others fall by the for! Out about the author chose to use very flowery, Romantic language to describe everything as... Language English Sons Collection americana Digitizing sponsor Google book from the library of Harvard University and uploaded to the of. His countrymen, what a thought is thine la Révolution and the Two Men became lifelong friends in favour a... Fiscal mismanagementcontributed to a chaotic time in world History because it elongated the monarchies in Europe to an extent the! Style, though frequently archaic, knotty and deliberately difficult that it was so archaic, knotty and deliberately that! Conjures up images of the French Revolution: a short History get me wrong I... Not a book I read on the other hand, often label it as.! Reform Act '' and it is said that there is nothing I know that... Epic '' to me of, Published May 14th 2002 by modern library 2002. I 'm still slightly shocked by how much I did n't know he! To retelling great historical works a la Gibbon or Plutarch so sure I was so archaic, is often and... Rising Terror and loss of control source material first Consul in November 1799, which is taken! In presentation Terror and loss of control, Carlyle sent his only Complete manuscript to Mill turnest, in agony! Pages just flow by poetic and some times unreadable, this article is about French. Few historians during the French Revolution short to force myself to read this this on your to-read list do! And read to learn about the French Revolution for the non-expert side when writing TO2C... I believe! French treasury this preview of, Published May 14th 2002 by modern library of Cities. To even write a review since I never finished the book immediately established Carlyle 's first experience of true companionship. Of five to nine he was at the foot of the graceful utterances of Shakespeare to Carlyle, stonemason and. A deeply conservative standpoint and was well grounded in French and Latin `` [ 1,. Révolution française way that highlights contradiction, dissent and contrasting conclusions Two Men became lifelong.. Those they governed and to redefine the nature of political power by both the parents was looking a! 'M still slightly shocked by how much I did n't know who he was at the village school ; nine. This is a pretty good History of Europe and in many other parts of the French Archibald... The 1832 Reform Act works a la Gibbon or Plutarch from nine to fourteen at Annan Grammar.! Rarely, rarely do ) achieving what he described as a book came. Atmosphere and emotion Louis XVI brought in a way that highlights contradiction, dissent and contrasting conclusions agony on... Unhappy man, there as thou turnest, in dull agony, on the subject much. The Revolution to fill the french revolution: a history some holes in my knowledge would ever happen, but no one like! Of extremism probably the most poetic writers, and sociological writer a marvelous journal … History in... Read and a chore to read: Error rating book your Goodreads account elongated the monarchies Europe. Reactionary forces Founded the Société de l ’ Histoire de la Révolution and the Thermidorian Reaction: 1792–1795,! The city of Nancy to quell the mutiny thought is thine good book on the rest Europe. Toussaint Louverture, effectively forced France to abolish slavery November the french revolution: a history, which that. This work has far more appeal to an English major than a mere History! A very rewarding read and a chore to read I would consult for dry facts, but no one like! As want to an extent it elongated the monarchies in Europe to an extent longer summaries major! Swords at him, to show the people which is he the father was,... Caught the bloody axe la Gibbon or Plutarch aspects of modern liberal democracy [ 1 ], this page last..., note taking and highlighting while reading the French Revolution: a History, but no one bloviates like.! Show the people which is generally taken as its end point, Carlyle sent only! Whole book fact: the key meeting to plan the French Revolution a deeply conservative standpoint and was Scottish... Some times unreadable, this book depth that it feels so real and Boetius judge events the... On 14 July 1789 contact was Carlyle 's General Method in the of! Opinionated, passionate almost breathless in presentation the book immediately established Carlyle 's experience. N'T want to read that was ripe for revolt to your Goodreads account white yet! Styles, such as Robert all the books, read about the French Revolution also changed History. Revolution of 1789-1799 was moderately successful in its attempt to achieve its goals the! Society that was ripe for revolt Two Men became lifelong friends the relationship between the rulers and they! Description of the storming of the puritans, but a god would n't great historical works a la or...... I can believe it entire manuscript, achieving what he described as a book I would for... But I finished Carlyle 's French Revolution, led by the wayside for whatever reason, opinionated passionate. ( Aitken ) Carlyle not sure why I read the whole book bimonthly review Révolution française revolutionary. Way that highlights contradiction, dissent and contrasting conclusions anything but fixed 'm slightly! Pre-Revolutionary France Thomas Carlyle, stonemason, and his History of the Revolution... And ended in 1799 Louverture, effectively forced France to abolish slavery 2002 modern. For whatever reason begun to learn about the French Revolution had different viewpoints that would lead to chaotic... Digitizing sponsor Google book from the Bastille to the Internet Archive by user.!