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Marat : savant et tribun
La légende forgée après Thermidor continue d’obscurcir le rôle historique de Marat : cet homme dépeint comme un fou et un charlatan ne pouvait être qu’un personnage secondaire, un dangereux démagogue, incarnant les excès et les impasses de la Révolution française.
C’est un tout autre portrait que dresse ce livre. Celui d’un médecin et physicien à la carrière honorable qui ne mérite pas moins le titre de scientifique qu’un Condorcet ou un Lavoisier. Celui d’un homme épris d’égalité qui s’est complètement identifié à la lutte des classes non possédantes. Celui d’un journaliste sagace dévoilant inlassablement dans L’Ami du peuple les intrigues des pouvoirs successifs. Celui enfin d’un leader politique clairvoyant qui n’hésitait pas à aller à contre-courant, y compris de l’opinion populaire – tout le contraire d’un démagogue et d’un opportuniste.
Clifford D. Conner nous offre une introduction enthousiaste à la figure la plus subversive de la Révolution française.
C’est un tout autre portrait que dresse ce livre. Celui d’un médecin et physicien à la carrière honorable qui ne mérite pas moins le titre de scientifique qu’un Condorcet ou un Lavoisier. Celui d’un homme épris d’égalité qui s’est complètement identifié à la lutte des classes non possédantes. Celui d’un journaliste sagace dévoilant inlassablement dans L’Ami du peuple les intrigues des pouvoirs successifs. Celui enfin d’un leader politique clairvoyant qui n’hésitait pas à aller à contre-courant, y compris de l’opinion populaire – tout le contraire d’un démagogue et d’un opportuniste.
Clifford D. Conner nous offre une introduction enthousiaste à la figure la plus subversive de la Révolution française.
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 8, 2015
There are probably three figures in the French Revolution who most fascinate the well-informed everyperson. Georges Danton is my absolute favourite, for a bunch of complex reasons. Maximilien Robespierre is the one that a lot of people know of and blame for the Terror. I've read biographies of both of them in the last f ew years. And then there's Jean-Paul Marat, often regarded as the epitome of demagoguery, inciting the poor uneducated masses to insane levels of violence.
I'll start with a drawback of this book. The first is a direct consequence of its size: at 155 pages, there's not room to go into great detail about very much (Conner neglects to mention the massacre of the Swiss Guard in the second storming of the Tuileries, which struck me as odd but I'll concede it didn't directly have much to do with Marat). Unfortunately this is hard to remedy, as he himself points out that there are only two other biographies of the man in English - he wrote one and doesn't think much of the other.
Something else that might be considered a drawback but which I found deeply interesting is the author's perspective. This is a drawback if you forget that (or were never taught that) every historian does have a perspective, and they bring that to their writing. Conner brings this issue to the very front of this short biography by spending the introduction skewering the perspectives of earlier historians and the way they have treated Marat; he shows - convincingly in most cases - that the bad press regularly regurgitated about the man is fallacious and based largely on anti-Marat propaganda, and/or others' political convictions (a favourite line: "The episode reveals nothing about Marat, but a great deal about how historians allow their social prejudices to affect their judgement" (p5)). There's also an amazing excerpt from 1919 wherein Marat's insanity is affirmed and then a comparison is made to contemporaries who parallel him - like Bolshevik sympathisers and women who "have failed in woman's first and natural function" (p6). I laughed, I cried. All of this is matched by Conner's own attitude, which is not really spelled out but nonetheless comes through clearly. I can't imagine how this book was received by conservative Americans. The final pages imagines Marat's ghost questioning the legacy of the French Revolution. His big thing (according to Conner) was the idea not just of political and legal equality (thanks to the French Revolution, at least in theory TICK) but economic and social equality - hence his championing of the sans culottes. Conner's last paragraph reads:
"Marat would surely be shocked and dismayed to learn that after more than 200 years his struggle for social revolution had lost none of its relevance and urgency. Where is the People's Friend now, when we need him?" (p155)
I can understand some people being dismayed by this authorial intrusion. But if you hadn't got that Conner is a bit of a radical himself, then you haven't been reading very carefully. And if you're reading the biography and being dismayed by Marat's politics, then you're probably not going to agree with this anyway (NB I don't mean his methods but his ideology).
This is a wonderfully readable biography of a quite astonishing man. Marat was a doctor and an experimental physicist and a journalist and a politician and an intensely passionate advocate for social change (even before the Revolution). He dealt with a chronic skin disease (it's apparently unclear what this was), and police harassment (occasionally warrants were for possibly-real issues, sometimes it was plain censorship and targeting). He was too radical for his times and thus often a voice crying in the wilderness; he would still be regarded as too radical, I would suggest. Conner sets out his life neatly and clearly. There's just enough detail about the French Revolution that I think you could read it cold... but I know too much to actually be a reliable judge of that. I'm really glad to add this aspect - the man who was revered by much of the menu peuple, who too often get ignored even in histories of the French Revolution where they had a fundamental role.
I'll start with a drawback of this book. The first is a direct consequence of its size: at 155 pages, there's not room to go into great detail about very much (Conner neglects to mention the massacre of the Swiss Guard in the second storming of the Tuileries, which struck me as odd but I'll concede it didn't directly have much to do with Marat). Unfortunately this is hard to remedy, as he himself points out that there are only two other biographies of the man in English - he wrote one and doesn't think much of the other.
Something else that might be considered a drawback but which I found deeply interesting is the author's perspective. This is a drawback if you forget that (or were never taught that) every historian does have a perspective, and they bring that to their writing. Conner brings this issue to the very front of this short biography by spending the introduction skewering the perspectives of earlier historians and the way they have treated Marat; he shows - convincingly in most cases - that the bad press regularly regurgitated about the man is fallacious and based largely on anti-Marat propaganda, and/or others' political convictions (a favourite line: "The episode reveals nothing about Marat, but a great deal about how historians allow their social prejudices to affect their judgement" (p5)). There's also an amazing excerpt from 1919 wherein Marat's insanity is affirmed and then a comparison is made to contemporaries who parallel him - like Bolshevik sympathisers and women who "have failed in woman's first and natural function" (p6). I laughed, I cried. All of this is matched by Conner's own attitude, which is not really spelled out but nonetheless comes through clearly. I can't imagine how this book was received by conservative Americans. The final pages imagines Marat's ghost questioning the legacy of the French Revolution. His big thing (according to Conner) was the idea not just of political and legal equality (thanks to the French Revolution, at least in theory TICK) but economic and social equality - hence his championing of the sans culottes. Conner's last paragraph reads:
"Marat would surely be shocked and dismayed to learn that after more than 200 years his struggle for social revolution had lost none of its relevance and urgency. Where is the People's Friend now, when we need him?" (p155)
I can understand some people being dismayed by this authorial intrusion. But if you hadn't got that Conner is a bit of a radical himself, then you haven't been reading very carefully. And if you're reading the biography and being dismayed by Marat's politics, then you're probably not going to agree with this anyway (NB I don't mean his methods but his ideology).
This is a wonderfully readable biography of a quite astonishing man. Marat was a doctor and an experimental physicist and a journalist and a politician and an intensely passionate advocate for social change (even before the Revolution). He dealt with a chronic skin disease (it's apparently unclear what this was), and police harassment (occasionally warrants were for possibly-real issues, sometimes it was plain censorship and targeting). He was too radical for his times and thus often a voice crying in the wilderness; he would still be regarded as too radical, I would suggest. Conner sets out his life neatly and clearly. There's just enough detail about the French Revolution that I think you could read it cold... but I know too much to actually be a reliable judge of that. I'm really glad to add this aspect - the man who was revered by much of the menu peuple, who too often get ignored even in histories of the French Revolution where they had a fundamental role.
September 13, 2023
History’s purposely tarnished and vilified figures seldom get unbiased revisit or scrutiny by historians. But this book tries to change that.
We all know that the French Revolution is one of watershed moments in the world history, which helped transform the social, economic, and political status quo of that time. It played a vital role in paving the way for political and legal equality we take for granted today in this modern world. For such an important event the mainstream historians always mention names such as King Louis XVI, Robespierre, Lafayette as the main actors or the architects of the revolution. But, when it comes to Marat’s name, it is always mentioned as an undesired afterthought. He gets portrayed as an accidental figure, an ultra-radical rouser, a charlatan, and a criminal.
In this short book, the author challenges these general assumptions and the common misconstrued tarnished image Jean Paul Marat with evidence. He explains the vital role Marat’s newspaper “L ‘Ami Du Peuple -People’s Friend” played in steering the course of the revolution. The main reason for the rebellion against the nobles and the monarch was caused by financial burden imposed on the French plebeians due to France’s support for the American Revolution fighting the English. Even though the rebellion and insurgency against the monarchy was from the Aristocrats, Bourgeoisie, Peasants and the Urban poor, Marat always stood for the later two. He sympathized their cause and opposed the oppression though his newspaper and paved the way for the 4th Estate.
Even though it might appear that Marat was situationally vacillating through out the course of the Revolution, he staunchly stood for the rights of the “Sans-Culottes aka the working class” until his assassination the author argues. He was a thorn on the side not only for his aristocrat enemies, but also a critique of the newfound commune and the republic when ever they erred or wavered from the objective of the revolution. He rabble-roused the complacent people politically through his journalistic acumen and tactics.
Author recreates a new image of Marat as a credible scientist, doctor, journalist a political agitator and a leader through this book.
Author also brings a good point at the end of the book that French revolution is an incomplete revolution as it only paved way for political and legal equality but not social and economic equality for humanity. I agree with him. I think every historian has the moral obligation to look at both sides and tell the true story.
Definitely a must read for anybody interested in read a concise version of the French history with Marat as a main player.
We all know that the French Revolution is one of watershed moments in the world history, which helped transform the social, economic, and political status quo of that time. It played a vital role in paving the way for political and legal equality we take for granted today in this modern world. For such an important event the mainstream historians always mention names such as King Louis XVI, Robespierre, Lafayette as the main actors or the architects of the revolution. But, when it comes to Marat’s name, it is always mentioned as an undesired afterthought. He gets portrayed as an accidental figure, an ultra-radical rouser, a charlatan, and a criminal.
In this short book, the author challenges these general assumptions and the common misconstrued tarnished image Jean Paul Marat with evidence. He explains the vital role Marat’s newspaper “L ‘Ami Du Peuple -People’s Friend” played in steering the course of the revolution. The main reason for the rebellion against the nobles and the monarch was caused by financial burden imposed on the French plebeians due to France’s support for the American Revolution fighting the English. Even though the rebellion and insurgency against the monarchy was from the Aristocrats, Bourgeoisie, Peasants and the Urban poor, Marat always stood for the later two. He sympathized their cause and opposed the oppression though his newspaper and paved the way for the 4th Estate.
Even though it might appear that Marat was situationally vacillating through out the course of the Revolution, he staunchly stood for the rights of the “Sans-Culottes aka the working class” until his assassination the author argues. He was a thorn on the side not only for his aristocrat enemies, but also a critique of the newfound commune and the republic when ever they erred or wavered from the objective of the revolution. He rabble-roused the complacent people politically through his journalistic acumen and tactics.
Author recreates a new image of Marat as a credible scientist, doctor, journalist a political agitator and a leader through this book.
Author also brings a good point at the end of the book that French revolution is an incomplete revolution as it only paved way for political and legal equality but not social and economic equality for humanity. I agree with him. I think every historian has the moral obligation to look at both sides and tell the true story.
Definitely a must read for anybody interested in read a concise version of the French history with Marat as a main player.
May 22, 2024
Best enjoyed during a nice hot soak in the tub.
The most biased political biography since Anton Pellugocci’s 'Why Mussolini is never Wrong and Also an underrated Short Order Chef' (1931) (don’t google it, I made it up).
Here we have - I’m reliably informed in this books preface - the only biography of Marat in English outside of Gottschalk fifty years earlier. If a biography of Marat can be said to be well overdue, this isn’t it.
Conner tries to revaluate his subject in a more positive light than what is found outside of Marxist histories. He’s far too rambunctious in his task, not conceding a single inch at any stage, often committing cavalier fallacies and even ignoring historical evidence in the process. The result of this entirely chinkless armour is not so much impenetrability as unbelievability. It just doesn’t make for good history.
There’s information to be gleamed here but proceed with caution, this isn’t a case of ‘one side of the story’, it’s a case of historical fantasy. I don’t blame people for their rigid political bias, but I do ask that they justify them.
To its credit, its clearly written, and the Tom Clancy style political thriller style makes for some genuine page quickened page turning. In his (admittedly also heavily biased) biography of the same subject, Gottschalk talks about ‘even the most blinkered Marat apologist’ turns out he wasn’t speaking hypothetically.
The most biased political biography since Anton Pellugocci’s 'Why Mussolini is never Wrong and Also an underrated Short Order Chef' (1931) (don’t google it, I made it up).
Here we have - I’m reliably informed in this books preface - the only biography of Marat in English outside of Gottschalk fifty years earlier. If a biography of Marat can be said to be well overdue, this isn’t it.
Conner tries to revaluate his subject in a more positive light than what is found outside of Marxist histories. He’s far too rambunctious in his task, not conceding a single inch at any stage, often committing cavalier fallacies and even ignoring historical evidence in the process. The result of this entirely chinkless armour is not so much impenetrability as unbelievability. It just doesn’t make for good history.
There’s information to be gleamed here but proceed with caution, this isn’t a case of ‘one side of the story’, it’s a case of historical fantasy. I don’t blame people for their rigid political bias, but I do ask that they justify them.
To its credit, its clearly written, and the Tom Clancy style political thriller style makes for some genuine page quickened page turning. In his (admittedly also heavily biased) biography of the same subject, Gottschalk talks about ‘even the most blinkered Marat apologist’ turns out he wasn’t speaking hypothetically.
April 21, 2020
The best work on Marat at present
The best and only book at present to read about Marat, because Connor understands the man and how his mind worked. We still need a massive biography and commentary on his writings and actions. But this work is at least fair to Marat and gives him the status he deserves in understanding the French Revolution.
The best and only book at present to read about Marat, because Connor understands the man and how his mind worked. We still need a massive biography and commentary on his writings and actions. But this work is at least fair to Marat and gives him the status he deserves in understanding the French Revolution.
August 23, 2022
A page turning biography about one of the most interesting men in history. The best account in English (with practically all accounts in French).
This biography does look at Marat through the lens of an author who is clearly left leaning. In my opinion this led to a fascinating take on a figure who’s been smeared in history by historians. For example, a biographer was arrested for writing about Marat 70 years after his death. This represents only a droplet in a large pool of posthumous propaganda and silencing. Here, a story that had been hidden is told.
With this left leaning lens there is of course a bias to be kept in mind. Whilst I do not believe the author ever obfuscates events, or comes close to lying, some of Marat’s most violent writings are glossed over time and again; meanwhile his more moderate writings near the end of his life are perhaps over represented purely by proportion.
Still the information is there and not in anyway dull. A must read for insight into the French Revolution.
This biography does look at Marat through the lens of an author who is clearly left leaning. In my opinion this led to a fascinating take on a figure who’s been smeared in history by historians. For example, a biographer was arrested for writing about Marat 70 years after his death. This represents only a droplet in a large pool of posthumous propaganda and silencing. Here, a story that had been hidden is told.
With this left leaning lens there is of course a bias to be kept in mind. Whilst I do not believe the author ever obfuscates events, or comes close to lying, some of Marat’s most violent writings are glossed over time and again; meanwhile his more moderate writings near the end of his life are perhaps over represented purely by proportion.
Still the information is there and not in anyway dull. A must read for insight into the French Revolution.
October 24, 2022
This book isn't a remarkable piece of literature. But it definitely has its merits:
- One of the few English-languages books elaborating on Marat's life.
- Although very opinionated, it's a good counter-narrative against the myth that Marat was ugly and self-absorbed.
- Offers a very condensed version of how the French Revolution unfolded. Many books make it too complicated and nuanced. This is not the case here.
Interesting read if you're into French Revolution politics.
- One of the few English-languages books elaborating on Marat's life.
- Although very opinionated, it's a good counter-narrative against the myth that Marat was ugly and self-absorbed.
- Offers a very condensed version of how the French Revolution unfolded. Many books make it too complicated and nuanced. This is not the case here.
Interesting read if you're into French Revolution politics.
June 14, 2020
An enlightening, concise, plainly-written account of a well-known but often misunderstood character in the French Revolution. This book really changed the way I look at Jean Paul Marat and his role in the revolution and it’s course. Highly recommended to anyone considering a bit of deeper reading on the general subject.
October 27, 2012
One of the most succinct and accurate historiographical books I've read.
August 16, 2023
INCROYABLE.
Littéralement un Lénine de la Révolution Française.
À lire en faisant des aller-retours avec Une Histoire de la Révolution Française de La Fabrique, ça aide à bien comprendre la période.
Littéralement un Lénine de la Révolution Française.
À lire en faisant des aller-retours avec Une Histoire de la Révolution Française de La Fabrique, ça aide à bien comprendre la période.
September 14, 2022
Interesting read and more perspective on Marat as a character / person. I think the books is obviously arguing for one side of Marat but looking at it objectively, one can see that he was kind of a radical that invited violence, justified or not. Disagree with some parts of the authors take but agree on more than I thought I would
August 12, 2022
based
September 30, 2013
Marat was supposed to be one of the bloodthirstiest revolutionary leaders in France. The book failed to describe this, but despite that it was a good introduction to the life of Jean-Paul Marat.
November 2, 2013
Enlightening read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews