Description
Book SynopsisInternationally renowned as the greatest authority on the French Revolution, Georges Lefebvre combined impeccable scholarship with a lively writing style. His masterly overview of the history of the French Revolution has taken its rightful place as the definitive account. A vivid narrative of events in France and across Europe is combined with acute insights into the underlying forces that created the dynamics of the revolution, as well as the personalities responsible for day-to-day decisions during this momentous period.
Trade Review'This is more than a history of the French Revolution. It covers all of Europe during the revolutionary period…it also breaks new ground in its account of international relations, and sets the wars of intervention in their true light.' - A.J.P. Taylor
'This is more than a history of the French Revolution. It covers all Europe during the revolutionary period, though events in France naturally take first place. It is particularly good on the social and intellectual background. Surprisingly enough, considering that Lefebvre was primarily an economic historian, it also breaks new ground in its account of international relations, and sets the wars of intervention in their true light. The French have a taste for what they call works of synthesis, great general summaries of received knowledge. We might call them textbooks, though of the highest level. At any rate, in its class, whether synthesis or textbook, this is one of the best ever produced.' - A.J.P. Taylor
'Probably the greatest study ever written of the earthquake of 1789 and its aftermath.' - John Banville, Irish Times
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. European Expansion 2. European Economy 3. European Society 4. European Thought 5. The States and Social Conflicts 6. The Aristocratic Revolution, 1787-1788 7. The Bourgeois Revolution 8. The Popular Revolution 9. Lafayettes Year 10. The Work of the Constituent Assembly, 1789-1791 11. The Constituent Assembly and Europe 12. Flight of the King and the declaration of war against Australia, June, 1791 - April, 1792 13. The second French Revolution, August - September, 1792 14. Invasion of Poland and of France. Revolutionary counter-attack: Valmy and Jemappes, September, 1792 - January, 1793 15. The origins of the First Coalition Bibliography Index
