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kaylito22's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because I wanted some context before I read “a tale of two cities.“ But to be honest I don’t really think this was for beginners, I was pretty confused throughout most of it
gguerra8225's review against another edition
5.0
About the most comprehensive and readable account I've come across yet.
jvan's review against another edition
4.0
A delightfully abridged version of Revolutionary history. Will leave you confused and breathless if it's your first take on the French Revolution but if you have some familiarity it's wonderful.
radella_hardwick's review
medium-paced
2.5
Rating pacing is difficult. It races through some bits that could use more unpacking but lingers on others that don't really add to our understanding.
In my opinion, it really loses interest after the fall of the Dantonists, when it becomes a roll-call of who was killed and who schemed their death. For a sizeable chunk towards the end, it loses all interest in what the government was doing for/to the country and only concerns itself with interpersonal conflicts.
Also, the whole book is only concerned with whoever the author thinks was in power at that moment. So, it begins with a heavy dose of King Louis, without reviewing what was happening in the country as a whole. And personalities like Danton and Robespierre are only introduced when they come to power, meaning the author then recaps what they were doing earlier in the timeline, rather than bringing them up for the first time when they first impact the Revolution.
In my opinion, it really loses interest after the fall of the Dantonists, when it becomes a roll-call of who was killed and who schemed their death. For a sizeable chunk towards the end, it loses all interest in what the government was doing for/to the country and only concerns itself with interpersonal conflicts.
Also, the whole book is only concerned with whoever the author thinks was in power at that moment. So, it begins with a heavy dose of King Louis, without reviewing what was happening in the country as a whole. And personalities like Danton and Robespierre are only introduced when they come to power, meaning the author then recaps what they were doing earlier in the timeline, rather than bringing them up for the first time when they first impact the Revolution.
calli's review
4.0
I'm really new to this area of history but I found this book really compelling and a great read! It wasn't too dumbed down and it wasn't too academic, but the perfect blend of the two.
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