Jean Paul Marat
Tribune of the French Revolution
Will be published approx. on 8. May 2012
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-0-7453-3194-2 (ISBN)
Description
Jean-Paul Marat's role in the French Revolution has long been a matter of controversy among historians. Often he is portrayed as a violent, sociopathic demagogue. This biography challenges that interpretation and argues that without Marat's contributions as an agitator, tactician, and strategist, the pivotal social transformation that the revolution accomplished would not have occurred.
Clifford D. Conner argues that what was unique about Marat - setting him apart from all other major figures of the revolution, including Danton and Robespierre - was his total identification with the struggle of the propertyless classes for social equality. Fresh ideas surrounding the Champs de Mars Massacre, his assassination, the cult of Marat and the Legende Noire are all explored.
Clifford D. Conner argues that what was unique about Marat - setting him apart from all other major figures of the revolution, including Danton and Robespierre - was his total identification with the struggle of the propertyless classes for social equality. Fresh ideas surrounding the Champs de Mars Massacre, his assassination, the cult of Marat and the Legende Noire are all explored.
Reviews / Votes
'A fresh, welcome look at one of the most complex and fascinating figures of the French Revolution' -- Adam Hochschild, author of King Leopold's Ghost (1999) and Bury the Chains (2006) 'A gripping introduction to the life of Marat and his role in the French Revolution' -- Richard Sheldon, Lecturer in Social and Economic History, University of Bristol 'Clears away the cobwebs and prejudices and then reveals why we should love and admire this egalitarian revolutionary' -- Lynne Stewart, lawyer 'This biography, written in an accessible and lively style, presents an activist and journalist from the French Revolution, and rescues him from myths and slanders' -- Ian Birchall, author of The Spectre of Babeuf (1997). 'Cliff Conner's gracefully written and wisely observed biography of Jean Paul Marat tells the truth about this much maligned doctor and hero of the French revolution' -- Michael Ratner and Michael Steven Smith, human rights attorneys and authors of Who Killed Che? How the CIA Got Away With Murder. Michael Ratner is President Emeritus of the Center for Constitutional Rights.More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Library binding
Illustrations
6 b&w photographs
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Weight
323 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7453-3194-2 (9780745331942)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2012
1st Edition
Pluto Press
€28.89
Available for download
Person
Clifford D. Conner is on the faculty of the School of Professional Studies at the City University of New York Graduate Center, where he teaches history. He has written biographies of two eighteenth-century Irish revolutionaries, Colonel Despard (2000) and Arthur O'Connor (2009). He is also the author of the acclaimed A People's History of Science (2005) and is on the editorial board of The International Encyclopaedia of Revolution and Protest.
Content
Preface
Introduction - The Phantom and the Historians
1. The Early Years
2. 1765-1789 - The Physician and the Physicist
3. January 1789-June 1791 - From the Estates General to the King's Flight
4. July 1791-September 1792 - From the Champs de Mars Massacre to the September Massacres
5. September 1792-July 1793 - From the Convention Elections to the Assassination
Conclusion - From the Cult of Marat to the Legende Noire and Beyond
Notes
Index
Introduction - The Phantom and the Historians
1. The Early Years
2. 1765-1789 - The Physician and the Physicist
3. January 1789-June 1791 - From the Estates General to the King's Flight
4. July 1791-September 1792 - From the Champs de Mars Massacre to the September Massacres
5. September 1792-July 1793 - From the Convention Elections to the Assassination
Conclusion - From the Cult of Marat to the Legende Noire and Beyond
Notes
Index