Making of Revolutionary Paris

by David Garrioch

The sights, sounds, and smells of life on the streets and in the houses of eighteenth-century Paris rise from the pages of this marvelously anecdotal chronicle of a perpetually alluring city during one hundred years of extraordinary social and cultural change. An excellent general history as well as an innovative synthesis of new research, The Making of Revolutionary Paris combines vivid portraits of individual lives, accounts of social trends, and analyses of significant events as it explores the evolution of Parisian society during the eighteenth century and reveals the city's pivotal role in shaping the French Revolution.

David Garrioch rewrites the origins of the Parisian Revolution as the story of an urban metamorphosis stimulated by factors such as the spread of the Enlightenment, the growth of consumerism, and new ideas about urban space. With an eye on the broad social trends emerging during the century, he focuses his narrative on such humble but fascinating aspects of daily life as traffic congestion, a controversy over the renumbering of houses, and the ever-present dilemma of where to bury the dead. He describes changes in family life and women's social status, in religion, in the literary imagination, and in politics.

Paris played a significant role in sparking the French Revolution, and in turn, the Revolution changed the city, not only its political structures but also its social organization, gender ideologies, and cultural practices. This book is the first to look comprehensively at the effect of the Revolution on city life. Based on the author's own research in Paris and on the most current scholarship, this absorbing book takes French history in new directions, providing a new understanding of the Parisian and the European past.

Genres: History, French Revolution, France, Nonfiction, Paris

399 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Patrick]

This history of 18th century Paris is marvelously informative and beautifully written - I have seldom come across an academic historian whose prose is so impressively pleasurable. Mr. Garrioch intends it for a "general readership," and it is certainly accessible to them, but it is very detailed and serious and will probably not appeal to those whose interests are at a History Channel level of colorful people and events. Would you be interested in knowing more about the growing secularization of France in the lead-up to the French Revolution (Chapter 8)? Then this book is for you. Have you already been fascinated by one or more of Robert Darnton's books on the 18th century French literary world? Then do not delay; this will be right up your alley. Anyone involved in the teaching of history at the university or high school level ought not to hesitate either. This is a great book.

[Aldo]

Beautifully written, I felt like I could smell 18th century Paris on every page. His argument is coy but convincing. Quick and enjoyable read.

[Gloria Wang]

Great Victor Hugo style writing!

[nickoli :)]

Whoops I realized I needed to catch up on reviews! I read this for a class, but it was still super interesting. I appreciated how, instead of writing a book about the French Revolution (of which there are many), Garrioch wrote a book that dives into the developing ideas and cultures in Paris leading up to the revolution. The book reminded me that history doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and builds off the past and continues into the future. Overall, well written and a cool way to think about how enlightenment ideals actually impacted history.