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A Short History of the French Revolution
Written for today's undergraduates, this up-to-date survey of the French Revolution and Napoleonic era offers a concise alternative to the longer texts geared to advanced study in the field. This text introduces students to the major events that comprise the story of the French Revolution; to the different ways in which historians have interpreted these event; to the political, social, and cultural origins of the Revolution; and to recent scholarship in the field.
176 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1994
27 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy D. Popkin
26 books57 followersJeremy D. Popkin received his B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and holds an A.M. degree from Harvard University. When he was hired on a one-year contract at the University of Kentucky in 1978, the History Department secretary put him in what was then the department's conference room, saying, "Since you won't be staying long, it won't matter." Popkin is still occupying the same office.
Popkin's scholarly interests include the history of the French and Haitian revolutions, autobiographical literature and American Jewish history.
Popkin's scholarly interests include the history of the French and Haitian revolutions, autobiographical literature and American Jewish history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 31, 2023
(read for history course) much was learned! very successful at delivering key points and takeaways of events spanning the course of nearly 100 years.
June 24, 2021
Not so Short, 250 pages more or less, defenitely there are still a lot more to read, however this is an excellent book to start, it's filled with numbers, thrilling stories, and a straight up chronological order.
December 5, 2022
Basic but commendable history of the French Revolution. Popkin's most interesting emphasis is not the history of the Revolution itself, but instead the history and development of the Revolution's historiography.
September 17, 2020
Dr. Popkin provides an excellent, well-researched portrayal of the French Revolution, analyzing and explaining the cause and effect of its important events in an easy-to-read style. Beginning with the origins of the French Revolution, and then taking one through the main characters and developments into the age of Napoleon, the author ends his book with a look at the Revolution’s heritage and how various historians have interpreted it. The book is a “short” 158-220 pages, depending upon which edition of seven you’re reading. Each edition attempts to correct/update/expand upon the previous edition.
Here are a couple opportunities for revision (which may have been corrected by the 7th edition): In the 3rd edition, on page 32 in the 2+ pages on the Storming of the Bastille, the author says the crowd attacked the Bastille because its governor refused to give up the weapons it contained. Actually, the crowd had come to the Bastille primarily to obtain gunpowder and ammunition for muskets they had captured elsewhere, with the eventual demand for surrender of the not only of the powder and ammunition, but of the Bastille itself. On page 33, the author then says the crowd “lynched” and then beheaded the Bastille’s governor and Paris’ royal administrator. Unfortunately, the term “lynch” means summary judgment, usually by hanging. To clarify any confusion, there was summary judgment (execution), but it was not by hanging, but by beheading. Also, on page 136, the author writes, “Cold, hunger, and Russian harassment decimated his [Napoleon’s] troops; less than one-tenth of the men who had set off for Moscow returned.” The original meaning of “decimate” was to kill one tenth, viz, one of every ten men (with 9 surviving), but the meaning has since blurred to killing a significant portion. That the author says one-tenth survived might make one incorrectly believe that decimating equates to meaning killing 9 of 10 men. In the 5th edition, Documents A & F are missing.
In other cases, the author is bound by his goal of providing a “short” history of the French Revolution. So one may forgive him for, on page 81, using his author’s “short-but-sweet” prerogative to avoid explaining why the Danton and Desmoulins group was called the Citras.
For those curious, “Citra” is Latin for “before,” “on this side,” or “short of.” This was in reference to the “Mountain,” the highest level benches which the Jacobins occupied in the National Assembly. Danton and Desmoulins had been Jacobin club members but began to differ from the majority of Jacobins in their views as regards the use of terror. After the ouster/guillotining of the moderate Girondins, the now comparatively moderate Citras, such as Danton and Desmoulins, were “before” the Mountain. The Ultras (the very radical Hebertists) were “after” or “beyond” the Mountain, where remained the “just-right” Jacobins or Montagnards (French for mountain-dwellers/highlanders) under the leadership of Robespierre and Saint-Just.
On page 101, the author introduces but doesn’t explain the term “chouan.” For those interested, this was a nom-de-guerre surname (meaning “owl”) of two royalist, counter-revolutionary brothers who led a guerrilla rebellion in northwestern France. Finally, on page 118, he uses just one sentence to describe the Louisiana Purchase.
Overall, though, for a “short history” I found the book “just right,” with more than its share of “Wow, I didn’t know thats!” As a fellow author, I highly recommend this book!
Here are a couple opportunities for revision (which may have been corrected by the 7th edition): In the 3rd edition, on page 32 in the 2+ pages on the Storming of the Bastille, the author says the crowd attacked the Bastille because its governor refused to give up the weapons it contained. Actually, the crowd had come to the Bastille primarily to obtain gunpowder and ammunition for muskets they had captured elsewhere, with the eventual demand for surrender of the not only of the powder and ammunition, but of the Bastille itself. On page 33, the author then says the crowd “lynched” and then beheaded the Bastille’s governor and Paris’ royal administrator. Unfortunately, the term “lynch” means summary judgment, usually by hanging. To clarify any confusion, there was summary judgment (execution), but it was not by hanging, but by beheading. Also, on page 136, the author writes, “Cold, hunger, and Russian harassment decimated his [Napoleon’s] troops; less than one-tenth of the men who had set off for Moscow returned.” The original meaning of “decimate” was to kill one tenth, viz, one of every ten men (with 9 surviving), but the meaning has since blurred to killing a significant portion. That the author says one-tenth survived might make one incorrectly believe that decimating equates to meaning killing 9 of 10 men. In the 5th edition, Documents A & F are missing.
In other cases, the author is bound by his goal of providing a “short” history of the French Revolution. So one may forgive him for, on page 81, using his author’s “short-but-sweet” prerogative to avoid explaining why the Danton and Desmoulins group was called the Citras.
For those curious, “Citra” is Latin for “before,” “on this side,” or “short of.” This was in reference to the “Mountain,” the highest level benches which the Jacobins occupied in the National Assembly. Danton and Desmoulins had been Jacobin club members but began to differ from the majority of Jacobins in their views as regards the use of terror. After the ouster/guillotining of the moderate Girondins, the now comparatively moderate Citras, such as Danton and Desmoulins, were “before” the Mountain. The Ultras (the very radical Hebertists) were “after” or “beyond” the Mountain, where remained the “just-right” Jacobins or Montagnards (French for mountain-dwellers/highlanders) under the leadership of Robespierre and Saint-Just.
On page 101, the author introduces but doesn’t explain the term “chouan.” For those interested, this was a nom-de-guerre surname (meaning “owl”) of two royalist, counter-revolutionary brothers who led a guerrilla rebellion in northwestern France. Finally, on page 118, he uses just one sentence to describe the Louisiana Purchase.
Overall, though, for a “short history” I found the book “just right,” with more than its share of “Wow, I didn’t know thats!” As a fellow author, I highly recommend this book!
November 17, 2023
This book was a well researched history of the French Revolution. I liked how Popkin wrote this and it was very easy to read this book and it was very easy to follow. Very enjoyable. 4/5 stars.
February 22, 2026
Unbearably dry, and (perhaps inevitably) convoluted towards the end, but works as a solid foundation for grasping the French Revolution. It is literally a basic level textbook at the end of the day.
December 14, 2022
hey, look, it took me exactly four months to finish this! (not — i only got to chapter 4 before i got swept up in midterms and just never looked at it again) out of all the books i read for school, this was by far the one i enjoyed the most. clear, concise, and actually interesting, it's a good place to start if you are truly interested in learning about this!
February 2, 2026
Jeremy Popkin’s book provides a brief overview (c. 160 pages) of the French Revolution. Intended as an introductory and accessible work, it spans the period from the Revolution’s origins before 1787 to the fall of the Napoleonic Empire in 1815. Across eight chapters, Popkin discusses the politics, economics, society, and culture of the era. Notably, the author avoids an excess of historical figures, focusing instead on the key ones such as Necker, Danton, Marat, Napoleon, Robespierre, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and Talleyrand.
While the content is not exhaustive, it offers a solid general understanding of each area, allowing the reader to connect different ideas and themes with relative ease. The author demonstrates how the Revolution stemmed from a convergence of financial crises, natural catastrophes, unique personalities, political culture, international relations, and the very structure of the French State in 1789—specifically, a fragmented state characterized by irregular provinces, confusing tax systems, privileges, and conflicting economic interests.
A clear narrative thread guides the reader through the dynamics of 1789–1790, the escalating conflicts with neighbors following noble emigration, the Flight to Varennes, and eventually the abolition of the monarchy in 1793, the King’s trial, and the Terror under Robespierre. It continues to narrate through the Directorate, the rise of Napoleon, the Napoleonic Empire and its main contributions or creations such as the Civil Code, and its downfall and, very briefly - a page or two -, the consequences of the Napoleonic Period up to the July Revolution of 1830. Popkin succeeds in making these complex chains of events relatively easy to follow. The book also includes an appendix with key dates.
Beyond the narrative, the book also has a good historiographical value as it performs a literature review where one can identify distinct sources or themes of the Revolution that may interest specific readers. Chapters 1 and 8 contain a survey of the historiography of the French Revolution, introducing a wide range of historians and debates. This allows readers without prior expertise to comprehend the main academic arguments and provides a roadmap for further reading, such as women in the Revolution, the global consequences, and interpretations of the Terror, among others.
All in all, it is important to keep in mind that this is an introductory work. It does not intend to cover everything. It focuses on the continental Revolution rather than a deep dive into Saint-Domingue or the Revolution’s international consequences, though the updated bibliography offers recommendations for those interested in these specific angles.
The book is ideally suited for those who want a brief overview rather than the granular detail found, for instance, in William Doyle’s work. Doyle's book is phenomenal and immense, touching on many particularities that are only mentioned in passing here, such as Necker's reforms or the Assembly of Notables. However, Doyle's depth comes with the consequence of being long and potentially overwhelming for someone who simply wants to understand the main beats of the Revolution, their causes, and reactions. Popkin offers an alternative for the introductory reader that is concise, current, and clear.
While the content is not exhaustive, it offers a solid general understanding of each area, allowing the reader to connect different ideas and themes with relative ease. The author demonstrates how the Revolution stemmed from a convergence of financial crises, natural catastrophes, unique personalities, political culture, international relations, and the very structure of the French State in 1789—specifically, a fragmented state characterized by irregular provinces, confusing tax systems, privileges, and conflicting economic interests.
A clear narrative thread guides the reader through the dynamics of 1789–1790, the escalating conflicts with neighbors following noble emigration, the Flight to Varennes, and eventually the abolition of the monarchy in 1793, the King’s trial, and the Terror under Robespierre. It continues to narrate through the Directorate, the rise of Napoleon, the Napoleonic Empire and its main contributions or creations such as the Civil Code, and its downfall and, very briefly - a page or two -, the consequences of the Napoleonic Period up to the July Revolution of 1830. Popkin succeeds in making these complex chains of events relatively easy to follow. The book also includes an appendix with key dates.
Beyond the narrative, the book also has a good historiographical value as it performs a literature review where one can identify distinct sources or themes of the Revolution that may interest specific readers. Chapters 1 and 8 contain a survey of the historiography of the French Revolution, introducing a wide range of historians and debates. This allows readers without prior expertise to comprehend the main academic arguments and provides a roadmap for further reading, such as women in the Revolution, the global consequences, and interpretations of the Terror, among others.
All in all, it is important to keep in mind that this is an introductory work. It does not intend to cover everything. It focuses on the continental Revolution rather than a deep dive into Saint-Domingue or the Revolution’s international consequences, though the updated bibliography offers recommendations for those interested in these specific angles.
The book is ideally suited for those who want a brief overview rather than the granular detail found, for instance, in William Doyle’s work. Doyle's book is phenomenal and immense, touching on many particularities that are only mentioned in passing here, such as Necker's reforms or the Assembly of Notables. However, Doyle's depth comes with the consequence of being long and potentially overwhelming for someone who simply wants to understand the main beats of the Revolution, their causes, and reactions. Popkin offers an alternative for the introductory reader that is concise, current, and clear.
January 31, 2023
I read this book for class, and it formed the foundation of my understanding of the chronology of the French Revolution.
Concise overview of the events of the French revolution, starting from the 1787-1789 pre-revolutionary period and terminating in the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1815. Does not assume any prior knowledge.
On the whole I thought it was clear, informative, and did not appear to take any strong political stance. It was not especially deep (as to be expected from a survey text), but it interwove a factual, chronological recounting of events with digressions on their historical significance. I also enjoyed the short discussion of the historiography of the Revolution at the end of the book.
Concise overview of the events of the French revolution, starting from the 1787-1789 pre-revolutionary period and terminating in the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1815. Does not assume any prior knowledge.
On the whole I thought it was clear, informative, and did not appear to take any strong political stance. It was not especially deep (as to be expected from a survey text), but it interwove a factual, chronological recounting of events with digressions on their historical significance. I also enjoyed the short discussion of the historiography of the Revolution at the end of the book.
February 21, 2021
A quick and thorough introduction
This is a thorough and quick introduction to the French Revolution and is a good springboard to other more in depth books that expect a basic knowledge of the events and major players. The author somehow manages to portray the many nuanced opinions of the revolution, its intentions and implications in relatively few pages. In the last several pages prior to the appendix he provides details on many of the prominent and more in depth books that have been written about the subject.
This is a thorough and quick introduction to the French Revolution and is a good springboard to other more in depth books that expect a basic knowledge of the events and major players. The author somehow manages to portray the many nuanced opinions of the revolution, its intentions and implications in relatively few pages. In the last several pages prior to the appendix he provides details on many of the prominent and more in depth books that have been written about the subject.
October 17, 2024
A good reference volume/extended outline of the French Revolution. Popkin's A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution would be a great first read on the French Revolution, and this volume could serve as a reminder or refresher. Plus it has a very well-organized timeline and extensive notes on recommended further reading.
May 2, 2020
Read for school. I will get my GoodReads credit wherever I can.
Good little roundup on a topic I know very little about. I especially enjoyed the unique sections at the end that detail the history of historical interpreatation of the French Revolution. Just something you don's see too often: A history of the history...
Good little roundup on a topic I know very little about. I especially enjoyed the unique sections at the end that detail the history of historical interpreatation of the French Revolution. Just something you don's see too often: A history of the history...
June 4, 2022
First time reading a book not for entertainment but for knowledge. I'm sad that I burst that bubble. The writing was good and got the point through. I'm not really too sure what else to say. My favorite line was “The nearer he is to the event the more authority he has as a witness, but the less authority as a judge"(Popkin 175).
January 29, 2026
Phenomenal! It provides a basic and chronological account of the French revolution, and does a very good job at highlighting the complicated and contrasting views on every aspect of French life at the time. It remains engaging and does not make the subject matter dense. It also provides a unique perspective on how the revolution is now seen and understood, and its significance to modern life.
December 10, 2021
Another textbook for school. Interesting book, but as some others mentioned in their reviews, a bit dry for such an intense topic.
September 14, 2022
[7th edition]
A solid, short-and-sweet, historiographically up-to-date, nuanced, multi-faceted, and engaging textbook on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras.
A solid, short-and-sweet, historiographically up-to-date, nuanced, multi-faceted, and engaging textbook on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras.
June 7, 2023
Read in preparation for/alongside The Wisdom of Crowds
September 23, 2023
Read Chapters 3, 4, 6, 7
Read
October 10, 2023Longest short history of the French Revolution I’ve ever read
January 14, 2025
Solid introduction to the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon!
February 20, 2025
I read it for one of my classes, it was pretty good as a undergraduate level book and I could see a non-history major person reading it and clearly understanding it
April 30, 2025
Excellent book that explains the French Revolution very well
July 25, 2025
jedna z najlepších učebníc ktoré som kedy čítal odporúčam naozaj každému, aj takému kto nikdy nemal dejepis fakt wau
June 8, 2011
If you're looking for good political/social/economic info on the French Revolution - this is a great book to have. If you're doing research on the political/social economic situation - then get this book!!! If you're looking for details of the revolutionary and napoleonic wars - then skip this book. If you're looking for exciting narrative and drama - again, skip this book. Me - I prefer a little drama and excitement in my reading material - like you'll find with some other books (see Walter Lord, Stephen Ambrose, David McCullough, etc) - but I'm glad I read this book.
May 7, 2009
It took me all semester (which, I guess, is kind of the point), and there were lots of bits that I never would have remembered were it not for the classroom discussions, but it was well written (for a history text) and it was quite helpful in my quest to not flunk the darn class. It's an excellent textbook to not read for half the semester and then have to catch up in, unlike the 1,500-page tomes most commonly associated with history classes.
November 9, 2012
Excellent engaging short history of the Revolution. Because it is short it helps me tie together loose ends in my knowledge of this period. I'm not a scholar who wants all the details. I wanted what this book gave me--a concise chronological story from 1789-1815 with an appropriate amount of analysis and reflection. It is written for the intelligent layman (me). So I'm glad I found it. (I'm also glad that I don't have to take a test on it--I could just read it for fun.)
October 10, 2007
this was my first exposure to the french revolution, so i don't have a point of comparison, but i found this book to be very informative and seemingly neutral. it was short enough that i was generally able to keep a good sense of the timeline of the various events. i thought it gave a good overview and raised some interesting thinking points.
December 26, 2015
A Short History of the French Revolution does a remarkable job of summarizing the complexities of the French Revolution and Napoleon's reign in 150 pages. There were a few places that the events were hard to follow, but on a whole, Popkin does an excellent job. I used this book as an overview and delved deeper into some key events with other books. This approach worked well for me.
January 13, 2009
After you read this book you see the passion and capabilities the French had about their government and standing in the world, about taking care of themselves because they had to. You compare that to today and it just makes you sad to see what the French have become. Fuck the French.
May 21, 2010
I have read two of the earlier editions of this book, which is edition #5. There probably isn't a better, more concise (145 pages) introduction to the first great social revolution. A great, fast, historical read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews