Kroniek van de Franse revolutie

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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 various sections such as "Powers of Recall—40 Years Later," "Alterations: The France of Louis XVI," and "New Men: Fathers & Sons, Heroes for the Times." It explores themes like economic challenges in "Blue Horizons, Red Ink" and the redefinition of sovereignty in "Absolutism Attacked." The cultural construction of citizenship is examined through "Collecting an Audience" and "Projecting the Voice," while the costs of modernity are scrutinized in "Visions of the Future." The narrative delves into grievances leading up to the revolution, detailing events from autumn 1788 to spring 1789, and the improvisation of a nation in 1789. Key moments such as the storming of the Bastille and the ensuing choices are highlighted, alongside the complexities of reason and unreason during the revolution. The text also addresses acts of faith and significant changes from August 1790 to July 1791, culminating in the tumultuous events of winter-spring 1793 and the rise of terror. It concludes with reflections on the aftermath and reunions, supported by sources, a bibliography, and an index.