Peter McPhee's "Liberty or Death" likely provides a detailed account of the French Revolution, focusing on the pivotal role of the oath of the clergy. The book probably explores the complex social and political dynamics that led to the oath, analyzing the motivations of both those who took it and those who refused. McPhee's work likely examines the consequences of the oath, highlighting its contribution to the fracturing of the revolution and the rise of counter-revolutionary forces. The book likely offers insights into the religious and political tensions that shaped the revolution's course. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the revolution's internal conflicts and its ultimate failure to achieve national unity.
Jonathan Israel's "Revolutionary Ideas" is a significant work in the field of Enlightenment studies. It delves into the intellectual currents that shaped the French Revolution, focusing on the radical Enlightenment's role in fostering revolutionary thought. Israel argues that the radical Enlightenment, characterized by its atheism and hostility towards monarchy and religion, provided the ideological foundation for the revolution. The book likely examines key figures and texts from this intellectual movement, tracing their influence on the events of 1789 and beyond. It likely offers a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between ideas and actions during this pivotal period in history. The book's analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of the French Revolution.
William Doyle's "The Oxford History of the French Revolution" is a comprehensive and authoritative account of this transformative period. It likely covers the social, political, and economic factors that led to the revolution, detailing the key events and figures involved. The book probably provides a detailed analysis of the revolution's various phases, from the initial calls for reform to the Reign of Terror. Doyle's work likely offers a nuanced perspective on the revolution's complexities, considering the diverse motivations and consequences of the upheaval. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding this pivotal moment in European history.
Edmund Burke's "Reflections on the Revolution in France" is a powerful critique of the French Revolution, arguing that it was based on abstract principles that ignored the complexities of human society and the importance of tradition. Burke's work is a classic statement of conservative political philosophy, emphasizing the importance of gradual change, respect for institutions, and the dangers of radicalism. The "Reflections" remains a relevant and insightful commentary on the challenges facing modern societies. Burke's emphasis on prudence, tradition, and the importance of preserving social order continues to resonate with conservatives today. The book is a cornerstone of conservative political thought.
“Liberté, égalité, fraternité!”
Alongside violence, the French Revolution is a story of principles and values. It is the ultimate intersection of brutality and Enlightenment idealism, as epitomised by the Fall of the Bastille. So too the creation and implementation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man - a totemic manifesto for the French state, which seemingly embodied a shockingly overt rupture from the past. Not only one of the decisive moments of the French Revolution, the declaration would prove transformative for all world history, and galvanised France as the cradle of of modern nationalism. So, just as the walls of the Bastille were abolished, the words of the document tore down something just as old and once impenetrable: the taint of absolutism, handing sovereignty from the king to the nation. By the 4th of August 1789 this amorphous beast was gripped by a great hysterical, almost paranoid passion, and it was amidst this turmoil that the French Assemblée Constituante voted unanimously to abolish feudalism, in one fell swoop eliminating everything that had come before. What would this consciously manufactured new beginning hold in store for Revolutionary France, or was it merely a bombastic continuation of the past?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the groundbreaking ideas behind the French Revolution, along with the deep history of the ideals its enshrined. So too the stories behind some of its most famous iconography, and the long-term repercussions of this transformative upheaval for the modern world.
_______
Looking for all of our episodes on the French Revolution? Check out The Rest Is History’s French Revolution playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX6W9e1zgsgaG
_______
*The Rest Is History LIVE in the U.S.A.*
If you live in the States, we've got some great news: Tom and Dominic will be performing throughout America in November, with shows in San Francisco, L.A., Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston and New York.
*The Rest Is History LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall*
Tom and Dominic, accompanied by a live orchestra, take a deep dive into the lives and times of two of history’s greatest composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.
Tickets on sale now at TheRestIsHistory.com
_______
Twitter:
@TheRestHistory
@holland_tom
@dcsandbrook
Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett
Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Rest Is History 
