Origins of the French Revolution

by Professor William Doyle (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1988

  $3.40

  After several decades of apparent consensus in the 1960s, the origins of the French Revolution became an area for disagreement and controversy among historians. During these disputes, many previously accepted ideas were called into question, but the contributions to the debate were scattered and often difficult to find. The first edition of this book, published in 1980, attempted to take stock of twenty years of debate, describe its evolution, and construct a new account of the Revolution's origins, incorporating the findings of the most recent discussion and research. This revised edition draws on the work which has appeared since, and whilst the broad lines of interpretation remain the same, a number of important points have been amended or reappraised in the light of continuing research. The initial chapter traces the course of scholarly controversies between 1939 and the present day; the rest of the book analyzes the ancien regime and the struggle for power which followed its disappearance, as revealed by the most recent findings of French, British and American scholars. Professor Doyle is also author of The old European order 1660-1800 .

• Used

  Paperback
  2001

  $7.46

  First published in 1980, this book rapidly established itself as the indispensable guide to what brought about the French Revolution, and to the debates of historians about the issue. It combined a full critical account of recent controversies with a fresh interpretation taking stock of where the debate had led. Since 1980 discussion among historians has continued as lively as ever, and has moved in directions scarcely explored at that time. The 'revisionist' criticism which destroyed the classic mid-century consensus emphasizing the Revolution's social and economic origins has opened the way to a 'post-revisionist' approach focused on cultural change. This new edition brings the subject up to date with an extensisively rewritten survey of the historiography up to the present day, and a revised interpretation modified in the light of research by a new generation of scholars. It will thus remain the starting point for any serious study of the greatest of all revolutions, which lies at the root of the modern political world. 'important book ...readable and perceptive analysis', Times Higher Education Supplement 'His book is excellent, achieving the rare distinction of being both useful and revealing', Spectator 'brief, clear, and thoughtful', Journal of Modern History