Revolutions
A New History
Will be published approx. on 30. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
432 pages
978-1-83674-020-9 (ISBN)
Description
Revolutions is a sparkling account of political upheaval and the power of history. We think of revolutions in terms of fleeting events, such as the fall of the Bastille or the storming of the Winter Palace. In reality, they take decades to burn out, if they ever do.
Historian Donald Sassoon takes the long view of some of the most famous upheavals: the English Civil War, the American War of Independence, the national uprisings that unified Italy and Germany, and the French, Russian and Chinese revolutions. This is a history rich in irony and surprises. As Sassoon shows in this tour de force account, revolutions usually catch revolutionaries themselves by surprise, and the consequences are difficult to fathom at any remove. Revolutions will change how you think about the transformative moments in history, both big and small.
Historian Donald Sassoon takes the long view of some of the most famous upheavals: the English Civil War, the American War of Independence, the national uprisings that unified Italy and Germany, and the French, Russian and Chinese revolutions. This is a history rich in irony and surprises. As Sassoon shows in this tour de force account, revolutions usually catch revolutionaries themselves by surprise, and the consequences are difficult to fathom at any remove. Revolutions will change how you think about the transformative moments in history, both big and small.
Reviews / Votes
A big book on a big idea. Sassoon is able to work on a grand scale, and he's not afraid to take big swings with his analysis. He also has an excellent eye for sparkling anecdotes and character sketches * Lit Hub Most Anticipated Books of 2025 * The most important book written about revolutions in years. Laconic but richly detailed -- Colin Crouch, author of <i>Post-Democracy</i> This is thrilling history. Sassoon examines some of the most important revolutions of the modern era and argues for their importance in understanding the shaping of our own times -- Rana Mitter, author of <i>China's Good War</i> A historian's cannonball. Sassoon has always been a superbly internationalist scholar. Revolutions takes him beyond Europe to fascinating accounts of 1770s America and twentieth-century China. Sassoon's conclusion: problems build up and then, "at an unforeseeable moment, fate strikes". And up go the barricades -- Neal Ascherson, author of <i>The Death of the Fronsac</i> Acerbic, informative, opinionated, deeply researched, and surprisingly fun -- Varad Mehta * Washington Examiner * The leading chronicler of the history of socialism ... exhibit[s] impressive range and subtlety. * Literary Review * Entertaining . not least for its novel insights and new perspectives . Full of surprising observations and conclusions -- Klaus Neumann * Inside Story * Astute. enlivening . engaging. It stands apart from all the many books on revolutions I have encountered -- Jeffrey Wasserstrom * Times Literary Supplement *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
15 integrated b&w photos
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
500 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83674-020-9 (9781836740209)
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
Person
Donald Sassoon was born in Cairo in 1946. He taught comparative European history at Queen Mary University of London for many years. His books include Morbid Symptoms, The Anxious Triumph, The Culture of the Europeans, One Hundred Years of Socialism and Mona Lisa, all widely translated. He lives in London.
Content
Introduction
1. The English Civil War
2. America: The Settlers' Rebellion
3. Debating the French Revolution
4. The 'National Revolutions' of the Nineteenth Century
5. The Rise and Fall of the Russian Revolution
6. The Chinese Revolution: Not a Dinner Party
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Notes
Index
1. The English Civil War
2. America: The Settlers' Rebellion
3. Debating the French Revolution
4. The 'National Revolutions' of the Nineteenth Century
5. The Rise and Fall of the Russian Revolution
6. The Chinese Revolution: Not a Dinner Party
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Notes
Index