Robespierre

By J.M. Thompson,

Book cover of Robespierre

Book description

Using the rich documentation of the period, Thompson aims to give a detailed account of the play of intrigue and manipulation that characterized the Revolution. The biography attempts to combine historical accuracy with the excitement of a novel.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Robespierre as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Thompson published his life of Robespierre in 1935, yet despite its age, it belies its age and is well worth a look. It is a heavyweight two-volumed biography, that is profoundly researched yet gracefully written. Extraordinarily comprehensive, it spans from shrewd analyses of Robespierre’s ideas and actions down to some of the most trivial (and fascinating) minutiae of his life. Thompson was ordained as a priest, subsequently renouncing his faith, and his study is particularly interesting on Robespierre’s contentious religious ideas.

His conclusion that Robespierre was ‘the embodiment of the revolutionary spirit of the French people' is, however, more than…

From Colin's list on the life of Maximilien Robespierre.

Want books like Robespierre?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Robespierre.

Browse books like Robespierre

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in France, revolutionaries, and Maximilien Robespierre?

France 927 books
Revolutionaries 41 books