Book on the French Revolution

[choie]

Good morning!

I'm interested in reading about the French Revolution - can anybody recommend a book on the subject?

Thanks!!!
Choie

[aquamarina]

1. One of the best in my opinion is

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

[Zoonart]

2. I recommend the book :

Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution
by Simon Schama

I've read several books about the French Revolution but this one stands out. It addresses the socio-economic circumstances that brought about the Revolution as well as the moral and justice issues.

[Glorfindel]

4. Agreed...one of the best books on the subject I have come across.

N/T

[frazzled]

5. I did not care for the Schama

I recommend instead François Furet's The French Revolution: 1770-1814. Maybe more than you ever needed to know (especially on the economics side), but at least it's not the pop version of the French Revolution. Very scholarly and thought provoking.

[Zoonart]

6. I had not read this. Thanks for the rec.

[Glorfindel]

3. A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel

It tells the story of the French Revolution from different and unexpected perspectives.

[choie]

7. Wow - thank you all for your wonderful suggestions!!!!

[Jersey Devil]

8. "A Tale of Two Cities" - Charles Dickens

An historical novel that captures the essence of the time.

[TuxedoKat]

9. Here are some

I took a class on the French Revolution from this Professor, Owen Roberts. He taught it mainly through the art and illustrations that were produced before and during that time. It was fascinating. For instance, before the revolution, Rococco Art was popular, mainly of aristocrats, frolicking, playing and having a good time, usually set in nature, but with nature surrounding them and towering over them at times, sometimes with a sense of foreboding (a coming storm). Think of the works of Jean Honore Fragonard and Francois Boucher to name a few. During and after the Revolution, the Neoclassical style became prevalent, e.g., Jacques Louis David.

https://www.sunypress.edu/p-3026-jacques-louis-david-and-jean-lo.aspx

https://www.theartstory.org/artist/david-jacques-louis/

Sadly, when I was googling this I saw that Dr. Roberts passed in 2018.

[choie]

10. Thank you so much!

[ananda]

11. Eric Hobsbawm - The Age of Revolution

The section on the French Revolution is called
The French Revolution.

https://www.amazon.com/Age-Revolution-1789-1848-Eric-Hobsbawm/dp/0679772537

According to a friend, this is a very good book.
He writes:

The first volume of Eric Hobsbawm's trilogy might be a good place to start. I've only read the third book in the series, The Age of Empire 1875-1914, but it starts with The Age of Revolution 1789-1848. Hobsbawm was of Polish Jewish descent but his father was from London and Eric grew up speaking English as his first language. His mother was from an Austrian Jewish family.

His histories are written from something of a Marxist perspective, which I think would be useful for looking at the French Revolution and social rebellions generally.

[choie]

12. I have a lot of reading to do!

Thank you all again for the recommendations - I knew my fellow DUers would be able to steer me in the right direction!!!