'The Oxford History of the French Revolution' by William Doyle is a detailed and comprehensive account of the events that transpired in France during the 18th Century, leading to the downfall of the monarch Louis XVI and the rise of Napoleon. The book delves into the patchwork of politics, economies, and personalities that catalyzed the terrifying and bloody Revolution. William Doyle's scholarly prose provides a friendly introduction to the complex historical period, offering readers a well-researched narrative filled with details and analysis. While focusing on domestic politics within France, the book also touches upon the class struggle, factional dynamics, and the Wars of the Revolution, providing a high-level overview of the political landscape during this tumultuous time.
Doyle's writing style, although scholarly, is deemed accessible for newcomers to the subject. The book is noted for its staggering amount of research and insight on every page, making it a definitive contemporary history of the French Revolution. Despite its academic nature, the book is regarded as a standard text on the revolution, offering a sobering conclusion that the revolution can only be seen as a tragedy. Doyle's comprehensive examination of the Revolution, from the accession of Louis XVI to Napoleon's rise to power, provides readers with a clear narrative of events and a framework for understanding the origins and developments of this historically critical event.
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From The Publisher:
Since its first publication to mark the bicentenary of the French Revolution in 1989, this Oxford History has established itself as the Revolution's most authoritative and comprehensive one-volume history in English, and has recently been translated into Chinese. Running from the accession of Louis XVI in 1774, it traces the history of France through revolution, terror, and counter-revolution to the final triumph of Napoleon in 1802. It also analyses the impact of events in France upon the rest of Europe and the world beyond. The study shows how a movement which began with optimism and general enthusiasm soon became a tragedy, not only for the ruling orders, but also for the millions of ordinary people whose lives were disrupted by religious upheaval, economic chaos, and civil and international war.
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About the Author:
Emeritus Professor of History and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, William Doyle was educated at Bridlington School and Oriel College Oxford. His postgraduate work culminated in a doctorate on Bordeaux in the Eighteenth Century, and he has since taught successively at the universities of York, Nottingham, and Bristol, with further visiting appointments in France and the USA. The author of sixteen books and co-editor of a further four, which include translations into eight foreign languages, Doyle is also the Co-founder of the Society for the Study of French History.
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