The Revolutionary Temper

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A Sunday Times, Times Literary Supplement, and The Times Book of the Year, this account brilliantly captures the lead-up to the French Revolution, showcasing the insights of a distinguished historian. Events do not arrive in isolation; they are intertwined with attitudes, values, and emotions. Understanding these events requires an exploration of the perceptions that accompany them. The storming of the Bastille in July 1789 ignited a global upheaval, marking the end of monarchy and the emergence of a new society. While many historians attribute the Revolution to economic decline, class conflict, or Enlightenment thought, Robert Darnton shifts focus to the perspectives of Parisians at the heart of the Revolution. He investigates the 'revolutionary temper' through his extensive study of pamphlets, books, and public performances, portraying Paris as an information society akin to our own. News circulated in cafes, marketplaces, and public spaces, shaping the collective consciousness of ordinary citizens. Over forty years, various events—from treaties and royal scandals to balloon ascents—eroded public trust in royal authority and destabilized the social order. Darnton's work reveals the hidden dynamics of history, providing a riveting narrative that allows us to view these transformative decades through the eyes of contemporary Parisians.