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The French Revolution

1789 - 1799

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The French Revolution

By: Leo Gershoy
Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
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About this listen

 In 1789 a group of sober-minded, concerned citizens set in motion a series of events which were to end up leading to the deaths of thousands of perfectly innocent persons. How did this reasonable movement of level-headed civic leaders spin out of control? At a glance, the French Revolution appears a bewildering series of political factions sweeping in and out of power, massacre and counter-massacre, terror and guillotine, and one economic crisis following another. Leo Gershoy, one of the 20th-century's most knowledgeable scholars on the revolution, has written a condensed version of his more famous work by the same name.

With this condensed volume, listeners will more easily be able to put the French Revolution into greater perspective and gain real insight into its causes and devastating effects. Learn what role famous men like Robespierre, Danton, and Marat played in these momentous events. Discover how the young Napoleon Bonaparte came to the aid of the revolutionaries...and then betrayed them. The French Revolution was one of the most important events in European history. Like a searing thunderbolt, it separates Medieval Europe from Modern Europe. And after more than 200 years, the revolution continues to affect us today.

©2005 Audio Connoisseur Europe France Political Science Politics & Government French Revolution Napoleon Bonaparte Socialism Liberalism Middle Ages Capitalism
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If I remember correctly, the hard copy version of this book was pubished in the 1970s. Not to sound too condescending or prejudiced towards past eras, but this book is turgid. It feels like a university undergraduate's key resource.

That may be no bad thing. It is accurate and throws facts and events at you at a steady rate.

However, it doesn't bring a tumultuous era to life!

Modern history retelling is now communicated more like a soap-opera, it may be overdone but, in many ways, it is no bad thing. This book moves from event to event, fact to fact, person to person, without anything feeling more significant than the last. Huge events are often over very quickly. This might be historically accurate, but it misses the opportunity to hook into the aspects that people connect with - events that are culturally significant, the bigger picture, interesting characters and interpersonal drama.

Having become used to a more modern and engaging retelling of history this audiobook falls flat. It is a textbook, not a journey,

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