Revolutions
A New History
Published on 18. November 2025
432 pages
978-1-83674-021-6 (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.
More details
Edition
Ebook UK & RoW
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Reflowable
Illustrations
15 integrated b&w photos
File size
3,26 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-83674-021-6 (9781836740216)
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
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
