After several decades of apparent consensus in the 1960s, the origins of the French Revolution became an area for disagreement and controversy among historians. During these disputes, many previously accepted ideas were called into question, but the contributions to the debate were scattered and often difficult to find. The first edition of this book, published in 1980, attempted to take stock of twenty years of debate, describe its evolution, and construct a new account of the Revolution's origins, incorporating the findings of the most recent discussion and research. This revised edition draws on the work which has appeared since, and whilst the broad lines of interpretation remain the same, a number of important points have been amended or reappraised in the light of continuing research. The initial chapter traces the course of scholarly controversies between 1939 and the present day; the rest of the book analyzes the "ancien regime" and the struggle for power which followed its disappearance, as revealed by the most recent findings of French, British and American scholars. Professor Doyle is also author of "The old European order 1660-1800".

Review

"An excellent introduction to the Revolution."--E. McKinley, Asbury College Praise for the first edition "Required reading for all undergraduate and graduate students studying the French Revolution."--Choice "From time to time a specialist succeeds in blending the many books and articles in his field in a synthesis worthwhile for any historian or any educated reader. William Doyle has done this in a brief, clear, and thoughtful book."--Journal of Modern History "The book is well conceived and refreshing, and demonstrates Doyle's mastery of both older and more recent scholarship....An impressive piece of historical writing and an important contribution to French revolutionary scholarship."--The Historian "His work will become a standard synthesis of recent scholarship on the causes of the Revolution."--Eighteenth-Century Studies "An excellent introduction to the Revolution."--E. McKinley, Asbury College Praise for the first edition: "Required reading for all undergraduate and graduate students studying the French Revolution."--Choice "From time to time a specialist succeeds in blending the many books and articles in his field in a synthesis worthwhile for any historian or any educated reader. William Doyle has done this in a brief, clear, and thoughtful book."--Journal of Modern History "The book is well conceived and refreshing, and demonstrates Doyle's mastery of both older and more recent scholarship....An impressive piece of historical writing and an important contribution to French revolutionary scholarship."--The Historian "His work will become a standard synthesis of recent scholarship on the causes of the Revolution."--Eighteenth-Century Studies "An excellent introduction to the Revolution."--E. McKinley, Asbury College Praise for the first edition: "Required reading for all undergraduate and graduate students studying the French Revolution."--Choice "From time to time a specialist succeeds in blending the many books and articles in his field in a synthesis worthwhile for any historian or any educated reader. William Doyle has done this in a brief, clear, and thoughtful book."--Journal of Modern History "The book is well conceived and refreshing, and demonstrates Doyle's mastery of both older and more recent scholarship....An impressive piece of historical writing and an important contribution to French revolutionary scholarship."--The Historian "His work will become a standard synthesis of recent scholarship on the causes of the Revolution."--Eighteenth-Century Studies "An excellent introduction to the Revolution."--E. McKinley, Asbury College Praise for the first edition: "Required reading for all undergraduate and graduate students studying the French Revolution."--Choice "From time to time a specialist succeeds in blending the many books and articles in his field in a synthesis worthwhile for any historian or any educated reader. William Doyle has done this in a brief, clear, and thoughtful book."--Journal of Modern History "The book is well conceived and refreshing, and demonstrates Doyle's mastery of both older and more recent scholarship....An impressive piece of historical writing and an important contribution to French revolutionary scholarship."--The Historian "His work will become a standard synthesis of recent scholarship on the causes of the Revolution."--Eighteenth-Century Studies

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