French Revolution

Thomas Carlyle's history of the French Revolution, originally published in 1837, opens with the death of Louis XV in 1774 and ends in 1795 when Bonaparte quelled the insurrection of the Vendemiaire. It is a work of great narrative and descriptive power that was itself meant to be revolutionary.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 944 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2019
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The French Revolution, a pivotal period in history, is explored in Thomas Carlyle's renowned work. Spanning from the death of Louis XV in 1774 to Napoleon's suppression of the 13th Vendémaire insurrection, Carlyle's history is a radical departure from traditional historical writing. With an intent to challenge the conventions of the eighteenth century, Carlyle employs a vivid and imaginative language to recreate the tumultuous events of the time.

By immersing himself in his French sources, Carlyle achieves a remarkable historical reconstruction that captures the essence of the crisis of his era. This new edition of his work provides an authoritative text, encompassing a comprehensive record of Carlyle's French, English, and German sources. It also includes a select bibliography of editions, related writings, and critical studies, as well as chronologies of both Thomas Carlyle and the French Revolution. Additionally, the index is newly revised and comprehensive, enhancing the reader's experience.

Carlyle's work is contextualized within both British and European history and writing, and he engages with a diverse range of major figures, including Edward Gibbon, Friedrich Nietzsche, George Eliot, John Stuart Mill, Hegel, and R. G. Collingwood. This interdisciplinary approach adds depth and richness to his analysis, allowing readers to appreciate the broader historical and intellectual landscape of the time.

The French Revolution remains a captivating and controversial topic, and Carlyle's work continues to be a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike. By presenting his work in a new edition, this book ensures that his insights and perspectives on this pivotal period in history remain accessible and relevant to a wider audience.

Weight: 642g
Dimension: 128 x 196 x 48 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198815594