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The Life and Opinions of Maximilien Robespierre

by Norman Hampson (Author)

3.6 9 ratings

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This investigation into the mind of Robespierre is now available in paperback. The book is presented as a discussion between three figures - a civil servant, a member of the Communist Party and a clergyman - representing different viewpoints in their reactions to evidence presented by a fourth figure, the narrator. In this way, the author sets out to display the contradictions in the character of Robespierre that so puzzled his contemporaries and continue to perplex historians. The book should be of interest to students of the French Revolution and general readers.

ISBN-10

0631162267
ISBN-13

978-0631162261
Publisher

Blackwell Pub
Publication date

January 1, 1988
Language

English
Print length

224 pages
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blackwell Pub (January 1, 1988)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0631162267
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0631162261
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.1 ounces

Best Sellers Rank: #4,441,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #24,932 in History (Books)
- #222,814 in Unknown

Customer Reviews:
3.6 9 ratings

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3.6 out of 5

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Victor Hartwell

Impartiality

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2005

This book is one of the most impartial and un-biased accounts of Robespierre that I have read to date. Hampson takes the thoughts and doubts that any good historian has and turns them into a mode of imparting history itself. I do think that one should have at least a small basis in French Revolutionary history to fully appreciate this work; however I also think this should be an essential for any Revolutionary historian.

3 people found this helpful

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Jack Smith

One Star

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2015

didnt care for it

Scholarly, and not for the faint-hearted

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2004

This is a balanced and scholarly review of Robespierre, mindful of the limitations we have in access to sources on "the man" as opposed to the politician. The account takes an intriguing approach by using three questioners as an interactive audience, arguing with the historian Hampson right on the pages of the book. This avoids the judgmental one-sidedness that could be a risk of a one-person account of Robespierre. The one problem with the book is its presumption that the reader is thoroughly familiar with the chronology and context of the French Revolution. A non-historian -- like this reviewer -- can get lost in an avalanche of names: These refer to people who had a role somewhere in the revolutionary government, but remain without background and personality. On the other hand, monumental events such as the execution of King Louis XVI somehow glide by with nary a mention. It can be hard even to track what year we're in at a given episode in the book, not to mention the confusion of having revolutionary months such as Thermidor alternate with traditional calender denominations. Still, I felt educated and smarter after reading the book, thanks in part to the extensive references provided.

6 people found this helpful

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Roberta D. Mitchell

Innovative format

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2000

This book employs an innovative format to allow the reader to form his own opinion about Robspierre based on three different viewpoints without distorting the historical facts. Challenging and highly recommended

8 people found this helpful

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