The Revolutionary Career of Maximilen Robespierre
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Book Overview
As it changed forever the political landscape of the modern world, the French Revolution was driven by a new type of personality: the confirmed, self-aware revolutionary. Maximilien Robespierre originated the role and embodied its ideological essence and extremes; the self that he projected to the people was equated with the ideals for which he strove. In creating this intellectual biography of so enigmatic a figure, David Jordan has stressed the words of the man about himself. With great imagination and insight, Jordan places Robespierre's self-conceptualization within the context of events and explains how Robespierre "The Incorruptible"-a man seen by contemporaries as virtuous-could not only equate justice with vengeance and demand it of the people, but also stand as its symbol before the world.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:002916530X
ISBN13:9780029165300
Release Date:January 1985
Publisher:Free Press
Length:320 Pages
Weight:0.65 lbs.
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Very Insightful
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This is perhaps the most really interesting biography of Robespierre yet written. It is a very fair treatment of a historical figure often misunderstood. Approaching Robespierre as a person who very consciously constructed himself is this book's strenth. Very smart and very readable.
Brilliant, comprehensive and well researched
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
One of the finest and most penetrating studies done on the French revolution as a whole and of Robespierre in particular. Too often readers only gleam their impressions of the period from Dickens and Thomas Carlyle. Then there are pseudo-historians like Stanley Loomis and Otto Scott, who instead of trying to interpret history simply make it up instead. It is so refreshing to read a thoughful, unprejudiced book rooted in facts. I can also highly recommend THE KING'S TRIAL by Jordan, one of the single best history books ever penned.
The Revolutionary Career of Maximilien Robespierre
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I've seen the stereotypical Robespierre: cold, feminine, and calculating. This book sheds light on what his career was really like, while at the same time mentioning interesting parts of his personality. You don,t have to be a brain surgeon to read it (I was only 12!) but its not for babies. If you like history you,ll love this man, his life, and the book. Call me a Robespierriste!
oranges and oratory
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I came to this book knowing nothing, I walked away an erudite robespierriste. Jordan has written a clear, acessable history without being condescending. Although most of his interest is with Robespierre's politics and beliefs (plus an excellent chapter on his oratory), Jordan has a gift for including just enough personal information abou the Seagreen to make him seem at least somewhat human (for example: his obsessive love of oranges). I thoughroughly recomend it.
Excellent, first rate history
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
With so much misinformation written about Robespierre, this scholarly volume is essentail for anyone who truly wishes to understand the most important figue of the French revolution. Highly recommended.
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