Peter M. Jones

Peter Jones' "The 1848 Revolutions," provides a concise description of the causes of the turmoil of 1848. The author suggests that the social & economic layers must be considered along with the political layers. He compares some historical interpretations, in some cases, lacking in substance while others suggest a deeper understanding of why the revolutions were different yet widespread while there were no revolutions in Britain or Belgium. The author's conclusions are excellent as well as a warning as historians should avoid oversimplification.… (más)

This was one of the first books I read on the subject of the French Revolution, and it was a great introduction. Of course, I knew a lot of basics about the revolution from history classes and contemporary British literature I read in high school, but a lot of the reasons for why and details that led to important events were never clear to me until I read this book.

It's very straightforward and takes care to cover the political landscape before the revolution, as well as French society in general. There are several charts for further elucidation of somewhat complex things, and plenty of timelines. One of the things I'm grateful for is the way the book clearly details the different factions, their goals, and where they came from. After reading it, I felt much more capable of understanding and enjoying literature and art from the period - as an English major taking classes in British Romanticism, this little book did a lot for helping me further appreciate the Romantics and their response to the French Revolution.… (más)