The Revolutionary Temper

Paris, 1748-1789

By: Robert Darnton

Narrated by: Andrew J. Andersen

When a Parisian crowd stormed the Bastille in July 1789, it triggered an event of global consequence: the overthrow of the monarchy and the birth of a new society. Most historians account for the French Revolution by viewing it in retrospect as the outcome of underlying conditions such as a faltering economy, social tensions, or the influence of Enlightenment thought. But what did Parisians themselves think they were doing—how did they understand their world? What were the motivations and aspirations that guided their actions? In this dazzling history, Robert Darnton addresses these questions by drawing on decades of close study to conjure a past as vivid as today's news. He explores eighteenth-century Paris as an information society much like our own. Through pamphlets, gossip, underground newsletters, and public performances, the events of some forty years all entered the collective consciousness of ordinary Parisians. As public trust in royal authority eroded and new horizons opened for them, Parisians prepared themselves for revolution.

Darnton's authority and sure judgment enable listeners to confidently navigate the complexities of controversies over court politics, Church doctrine, and the economy. And his luminous prose creates an immersive listening experience. Here is a riveting narrative that succeeds in making the past a living presence.

©2024 Robert Darnton (P)2024 Tantor

Wonderful book. Atrocious reading.

Reader uses comical French accents that are barely listenable. Generally a stilted reading.

Darnton’s history is great.

Terrible reading

Bizarre that a book that includes substantial sections in French is read by someone who likely has never seen French before. Who knew roi is pronounced roy-eeee :)

Appalling Narration

I have to echo the previous reviewers: the narration of this book is laughably bad. Why on earth would you hire for a book that is peppered with French expressions, poems, phrases etc a narrator whose French would be regarded as substandard in a middle school language class.
Apparently his narrative malpractice extends to the islands off the Scottish coast which he believes are known as the “He Brides.” I’m not sure I’ll be able to persevere to get the author’s full content.

Excellent material spoiled by poor French

The premise of this book is an interesting angle on the French Revolution. The organizational principles and the detail are excellent. Unfortunately listening to Mr. Andersen's pronunciation of French is jarring and distracting. I am definitely not a French scholar but I do know how to pronounce "roi". I had to stop listening.

Interesting subject but tiring presentation. Disappointing.

Recitation of quotations and titles in French was tiring. French is a fine, honored language. However since I don’t speak French, hearing quotations and titles of works in French was not helpful. The book was deleted after about 2 hours of listening.