French Revolution

by J.F. Bosher

Book Overview

Bosher situates the revolutionary struggle not in an atmosphere of sharp class alignment, but instead with socially mixed and transient groupings. He goes deeply into the pre-Revolutionary period, examining the stresses in the social and political order of the ancien regime, as well as the ideas of the wealthy that circulated in the salons and permeated the journals and leaflets read by the populace.

Central to the account is Professor Bosher's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039395997X
• ISBN13: 9780393959970
• Release Date: September 1989
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

An explanation of the French Revolution.

A well written history of the French Revolution. Bosher describes in detail why the French monarchy, along with the Catholic Church and nobility perished in this revolution/civil war. Louis XVI was a weak king with liberal political thinking. He strove to be inclusive in leading a reform of the financial administration. However when the nobels and provinces rebelled at this event, he called the Estates General to go directly to the people. The Estates General evolved into a legislative grouping further taking away power from the French monarch. Eventually, the groupings of different factions splitered the country and caused the King and much of the royal family to be killed. Bosher does a great job of detailing why the French Revolution occurred. As such, it was not simply a class war, but a frecturing of society that led to the political reformation of European society. This is a well written although dry history of the French Revolution.

Outstanding historical analysis

This book is history and historical analysis at its very best. Professor Bosher has an absolutely thorough knowledge of the subject; and he presents it all with the kind of clarity that makes the reader, even one new to the subject, comfortable with it. The French Revolution is a subject on which there is much disagreement and debate. Bosher explains all sides of the issue. Anyone looking for insight and understanding will find this book a page-turner.