About this book
Citizens tells the story of the French Revolution from the final years of the old monarchy to the fall of Robespierre in 1794. It covers the financial crisis, the storming of the Bastille, the end of the monarchy, the execution of Louis XVI and the Terror.
Simon Schama deliberately calls the book a chronicle, and he writes it as a sweeping narrative full of individual lives, from ministers and revolutionaries to ordinary Parisians. He challenges the idea that the old regime was simply stagnant, showing a France already changing fast, and he places violence at the heart of the Revolution rather than treating it as an unfortunate side effect. That interpretation has been debated, and it gives the book its distinctive edge.
This is a big, demanding book, but Schama's energy and eye for character make it compelling. For the career that grew out of the Revolution's chaos, continue with Napoleon: A Life; for more on the period, browse our early-modern shelf.
Who it’s for
For readers ready for a long, ambitious narrative; vivid and rewarding, best with some patience.
Editions vary by publisher and format. Check the retailer’s listing for the edition, translation and format before you buy.