Citizens

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Instead of depicting a dying Old Regime, the narrative presents a vibrant and inventive France, captivated by novelty and technology, offering a fresh perspective on Louis XVI's reign. This work, a New York Times cloth bestseller, features 200 illustrations and includes sections such as "Powers of Recall," "Alterations: The France of Louis XVI," and "New Men: Fathers & Sons." It explores themes like financial struggles in "Blue Horizons, Red Ink," and the challenges to absolutism in "Absolutism Attacked." The cultural dynamics are examined in "The Cultural Construction of a Citizen," while the impact of modernity is discussed in "The Costs of Modernity." Key events leading to the revolution are chronicled, including grievances from 1788-89 and the pivotal moments of July 1789, such as the storming of the Bastille. The narrative also delves into the complexities of choice and the interplay of reason and unreason during the early revolutionary period. Subsequent chapters address acts of faith, significant changes, and the tumultuous events of 1793-94, culminating in the rise of terror and its consequences. The epilogue reflects on reunions, supported by extensive sources and a bibliography, along with an index and photographic credits.