The Oxford History of the French Revolution

Published during its bicentenary, this book is an excellent history of the French Revolution from a British perspective. In fact the author, the English historian William Doyle, is also one of the most illustrious representative of the revisionist trend.

Packed full with details, in about 400 pages he offers a portrait of France back then before tackling how events unfolded, the various factors that not only kickstarted it but, most importantly, threw it into the direction we all know. In a word: how the vague political ideals of the philosophes gave birth to such terrorist violence that would ultimately transform the whole of Europe? From the economic crisis to religious questions and the role played by foreign powers, William Doyle show more exposes here what he describes as a tragedy without precedent.

Making it end in 1802 with the peace of Lunéville and Amiens (Bonaparte's triumph, then) such an analysis will delight whose avid of understanding such an event. French readers especially (as I am) more often than not still influenced by Marxist historiography (whatever one think about it) will find here a great source for thought. The thing is, we close this book with a terrible question in mind: considering how society were evolving under Louis XVI and, above all, the massive political, societal and intellectual upheavals of the time, was such a Revolution even necessary?

Controversial, yes; but how stimulating! show less

Doyle tells us in his introduction that he was surprised to find that this book has become a standard text on the revolution as it was intended to be a popular work to coincide with the bicentenary of 1989.
This may be false modesty on his part but this book certainly did not strike me as courting the popular history market with its scholarly prose and lack of illustrations. Far more striking is the astounding amount of research and insight contained on every page of the book. When you consider Doyle is writing about one of the most contentious, important and complex events in human history his achievement is even more astonishing.
This is rightfully regarded as the best overview of the revolution in English and Doyle's conclusion that show more the revolution can only be seen as a tragedy is as enlightening as it is sobering. show less

To most historians, the French Revolution is the key event defining the emergence of the modern world in which we live today. Its bicentenary in 1989 was the occasion for a slew of books that examined its causes, personalities, and consequences from several different ideological and chronological perspectives. Among the most prominent was William Doyle’s survey of the French Revolution. A noted historian of the period, Doyle offered something provided in few other works produced that year: a narrative that ranged from the accession of Louis XVI to the Treaty of Amiens and Napoleon Bonaparte’s confirmation as First Consul in 1802. In doing so, he offered an analysis of the origins, events, and historical impact of the Revolution show more within a single interpretive framework, one that serves as a starting point for anyone seeking an introduction to this historically critical event.

Doyle’s analysis begins with a survey of France under Louis XVI. Here he portrays a country under strain, governed by a monarchy ill-equipped to face the challenges before it. Though he identifies the cause of the Revolution as the economic crisis created by the bad harvests of the 1770s and 1780s, these exposed many of the long-term systemic problems of the French government. Uppermost among them was the ineffectual king, Louis XVI, a man whose vacillation and weakness Doyle frequently highlights as key to the ineffectual response to the events that followed. He also takes the times to describe the rich intellectual ferment of the time, as the Enlightenment provided many of the ideas and concepts that were introduced in an effort to address the problems plaguing the country.

The core of Doyle’s account, though, is the period between 1789 and 1794. This period takes up nearly half of the book, containing as it does the pivotal events of the Revolution itself. One of the great strengths of Doyle’s presentation of these years is his inclusion of events outside of Paris, which provides a more comprehensive understanding of the revolution as a national event and how the reaction of the provinces influenced events within the capital. Yet his account makes clear that it was the Paris commune that was the single most important factor driving events, as representatives continually were forced to make decisions with the reactions of the Paris mob uppermost in their considerations. The men who emerged as leaders during this period were the ones who could win over these crowds, yet Doyle makes it clear that men such as Robespierre were more often driven by events than driving them themselves.

Doyle concludes his history with the Directory, the emergence of Bonaparte, and the contemporary impact of the Revolution upon Europe. His incorporation of a European perspective is another of the book’s strengths, illuminating the role of international affairs on the Revolution while also providing a fuller account of its broader impact outside of France itself. By this point military affairs were a paramount consideration, aiding to both the government’s survival and the exportation of revolutionary ideas. Yet curiously Doyle does not dwell on this part in his conclusion, which nonetheless explains just how the Revolution came to shape so much of the political landscape, down to the very concepts and language used today.

The comprehensive and insightful nature of Doyle’s examination is one of the main reasons why, two decades after its publication, his book remains the best single-volume study of the French Revolution. Though somewhat dry in its presentation, it nonetheless gives readers a clear narrative of events and a framework for understanding the origins and developments of the revolution, both within France and Europe. For anyone seeking to understand such a pivotal event in history, this is a good place to start. show less

As far as I can tell, this is one of the definitive contemporary histories, well written and exhaustive, at least on political history. But basically it was too hard for me. If you're super into the French Revolution you probably own this book already; if you're not, I wouldn't recommend it as a place to start, although it might be a good book to keep around the house for reference, I don't know.

A narrative well researched history for anyone who wants to know the events of this period of history. Lots of detail and some analysis. Very readable

This is an avid work, indeed. Doyle's clear scholarly prose is friendly to the newcomer, and as Suva states, the amount of research _is_ staggering. Start with this one!

I would agree with the other reviewer: : to understand the French Revolution, start here.