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Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon

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Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon

By: Suzanne M. Desan, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Suzanne M. Desan
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About this listen

The 25 years between the onset of the French Revolution in 1789 and the Bourbon Restoration after Napoleon in 1814 is an astonishing period in world history. This era shook the foundations of the old world and marked a permanent shift for politics, religion, and society - not just for France, but for all of Europe. An account of the events alone reads like something out of a thrilling novel:

  • France’s oppressed and hungry masses rise up against their government.
  • In Paris, crowds storm the Bastille looking for bread and weaponry.
  • Rumors, panic, and fear grip the nation as it faces an uncertain future.
  • The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man, the first bold step toward the invention of democratic politics and a republican state.
  • A young Corsican named Napoleon Bonaparte stuns Europe with his military strategy and political boldness.

Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon is your opportunity to learn the full story of this captivating period. Taught by Dr. Suzanne M. Desan, these 48 exciting lectures give you a broad and comprehensive survey of one of the most important eras in modern history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2013 The Great Courses Europe Political Science Politics & Government French Revolution France Thought-Provoking Napoleon Bonaparte

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Incredibly interesting and very thought provoking. Made me love the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras even more!!!

Vive L'Empereur!!!

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Would you consider the audio edition of Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon to be better than the print version?

Lectures always work best in their original format. However, I feel that the lack of visual images did not bother me at all - the descriptions were vivid and clear.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon?

I was particularly fond of the stories of 'little' individuals, especially those not often mentioned in the context of the topic.

What does Professor Suzanne M. Desan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Enthusiasm, passion for history, sense of humour.

Any additional comments?

I was left hungry for more. Unfortunately, another Great Courses lecture series I tried just did not compare to this one. I wish Professor Desan would expand on another topic in a similar way.

Entertaining and Informative

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I am so grateful that this level of quality is available to me.

The great courses via audible is just a great thing.

I wish I could have some sort of lending system to share this experience.

This course gives a detailed insight into 1790 to 1815 Western European history.

Fantastic!

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Really very good, focuses on the political and social side more than Napoleon, though he still does feature heavily. I will certainly be getting more books from The Great Courses.

Very good

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I needed to learn more about this period in preparation for my interview for French citizenship... I found her a very good lecturer and the lectures are all of a similar length dealing with various periods and/or personalities from 1789 until after Napoleon. Ideal if you want to listen for around an hour at a time.

Excellent and thorough a/c of the Fr Revolution

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I'm not going to be saying anything new here but it really is one of the best of the Great Courses series.I tried a few others and only ever finished one, but this one! I binge-listened to it, she makes all the characters, twists and turns of history come to life so brilliantly!


(Being very nitpicky here: I only noted two things that she mentions that are disputed? because of contradictory/a lack of contemporary sources- Robespierre meeting the King&Queen as a student (Apparently they never travelled through Paris on their coronation day because of the bad weather, Herve Leuwers talks about it in his biography of Robespierre on here) and the 'bals des victimes'--but it's still really interesting to hear about, and takes nothing away from the rest of the course.

Thank you so much Mme Desan :-)

Another happy listener!!

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The French Revolution is far more significant than I ever realised. A very good, interesting and entertaining listen.

Top interesting

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An interesting and well presented book spoiled by small errors throughout. A good example is the apparent inability of the narrator to tell the difference between England, Britain and the United Kingdom.

Good,, but beware the errors.

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Excellent coverage of the trajectory of France from before 1789 up to Waterloo and beyond. Well presented - Professor Desan has something of a shaky start but improves quickly. She captures the passion and Romance of the era, particularly as she builds up to Bonaparte. Trifle US-centric, but that's to be expected.

I enjoyed the exploration of the international ramifications of the revolution, especially in the colonies. All in all a great listen.

Solid Political and Military History

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Very good, you can tell she has a passion for this part of History.

Very good, you can tell she has a passion for this part of History

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