A Concise History of the French Revolution - (Critical Issues in World and International History) by Sylvia Neely (Paperback)

About the Book

This concise yet rich introduction to the French Revolution explores the origins, development, and eventual decline of a movement that defines France to this day. Through an accessible chronological narrative, Sylvia Neely explains the complex events, conflicting groups, and rapid changes that characterized this critical period in French history. She traces the fundamental transformations in government and society that forced the French to come up with new ways of thinking about their place in the world, ultimately leading to liberalism, conservatism, terrorism, and modern nationalism. Written with clarity and nuance, this work will be an engaging and rewarding exploration for all readers interested in France and revolutionary history.

Book Synopsis

In this excellent introduction to the French Revolution, historian Sylvia Neely shows how particular political choices during that period led to reform, revolution, terror, and dictatorship. The profound transformations in government and society during the revolution forced the French to come up with new ways of thinking about their place in the world and led to what we know today as liberalism, conservatism, terrorism, and nationalism.

Review Quotes

"Neely provides an excellent introduction to the French Revolution, showing how particular political choices led to reform, revolution, terror, and dictatorship. Political issues are placed in their social context, but politicians emerge as individuals forced to make difficult decisions, which led to unintended consequences that, taken together, defined the trajectory of the Revolution." --Thomas Kselman, University of Notre Dame

"This is an engaging and thought-provoking introduction to one of the most remarkable periods in human history. Skillfully relating her story within the context of recent scholarly debates, Sylvia Neely has furnished an account of the French Revolution that seamlessly integrates social, cultural, and intellectual forces with the play of individual personality. Her book is especially rewarding in its explication of the international geopolitical framework in which the Revolution unfolded and in its analysis of the ebb and flow of revolutionary political struggles." --Barry M. Shapiro, Allegheny College

"This superb book is exactly what I have been looking for as a text to cover the French Revolution. The writing is engaging and the presentation of the events and people of the revolution clear and informative." --Robert Bruce, Sam Houston State University

"A welcome addition to the growing number of short textbook treatments of the French Revolution. Instructors offering undergraduate courses on the subject will want to consider adopting this text for the classroom. It is a serious effort to concisely summarize a complex historical event. The text presupposes no prior knowledge of the French Revolution, is written in clear, approachable prose, and is enhanced by easily readable grayscale maps, refreshingly new images, and a detailed timeline." --H-France Review

"Neely combines in one slim volume a clear narrative history with analysis and a few judicious forays into the thickets of revolutionary historiography. An invaluable resource-a good basic text for a survey course, and an outstanding text for professionals. Highly recommended." --Choice Reviews

"A thoughtful, well-written introduction to the Revolution." --Journal of Social History

About the Author

Sylvia Neely is associate professor of history at Pennsylvania State University.