The Revolutionary Career of Maximilen Robespierre

by David P. Jordan

Book Overview

As it changed forever the political landscape of the modern world, the French Revolution was driven by a new type of personality: the confirmed, self-aware revolutionary. Maximilien Robespierre originated the role and embodied its ideological essence and extremes; the self that he projected to the people was equated with the ideals for which he strove. In creating this intellectual biography of so enigmatic a figure, David Jordan has stressed the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 002916530X
• ISBN13: 9780029165300
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Very Insightful

This is perhaps the most really interesting biography of Robespierre yet written. It is a very fair treatment of a historical figure often misunderstood. Approaching Robespierre as a person who very consciously constructed himself is this book's strenth. Very smart and very readable.

Brilliant, comprehensive and well researched

One of the finest and most penetrating studies done on the French revolution as a whole and of Robespierre in particular. Too often readers only gleam their impressions of the period from Dickens and Thomas Carlyle. Then there are pseudo-historians like Stanley Loomis and Otto Scott, who instead of trying to interpret history simply make it up instead. It is so refreshing to read a thoughful, unprejudiced book rooted in facts. I can also highly recommend THE KING'S TRIAL by Jordan, one of the single best history books ever penned.

The Revolutionary Career of Maximilien Robespierre

I've seen the stereotypical Robespierre: cold, feminine, and calculating. This book sheds light on what his career was really like, while at the same time mentioning interesting parts of his personality. You don,t have to be a brain surgeon to read it (I was only 12!) but its not for babies. If you like history you,ll love this man, his life, and the book. Call me a Robespierriste!

oranges and oratory

I came to this book knowing nothing, I walked away an erudite robespierriste. Jordan has written a clear, acessable history without being condescending. Although most of his interest is with Robespierre's politics and beliefs (plus an excellent chapter on his oratory), Jordan has a gift for including just enough personal information abou the Seagreen to make him seem at least somewhat human (for example: his obsessive love of oranges). I thoughroughly recomend it.

Excellent, first rate history

With so much misinformation written about Robespierre, this scholarly volume is essentail for anyone who truly wishes to understand the most important figue of the French revolution. Highly recommended.