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The Fall of Robespierre

24 Hours in Revolutionary Paris

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The Fall of Robespierre

By: Colin Jones
Narrated by: Sasha Higgins
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About this listen

The day of 9 Thermidor (July 27, 1794) is universally acknowledged as a major turning-point in the history of the French Revolution. At 12:00 midnight, Maximilien Robespierre, the most prominent member of the Committee of Public Safety which had for more than a year directed the Reign of Terror, was planning to destroy one of the most dangerous plots that the Revolution had faced.

By 12:00 midnight at the close of the day, following a day of uncertainty, surprises, upsets and reverses, his world had been turned upside down. He was an outlaw, on the run, and himself wanted for conspiracy against the Republic. He felt that his whole life and his Revolutionary career were drawing to an end. As indeed they were. He shot himself shortly afterwards. Half-dead, the guillotine finished him off in grisly fashion the next day.

The Fall of Robespierre provides an hour-by-hour analysis of these twenty-four hours.

©2021 Colin Jones (P)2022 Tantor 18th Century Europe France Military Modern French Revolution

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All stars
Most relevant
Poor reading of names.Had to constantly stop listening to find the persons the reader was supposedly referring to.

Filled a lot of gaps.Told the story of Robespierre’s shooting and the famous “R” signature more accurately in the time-frame.

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A shame - this is a brilliant book spoiled by an utterly dreadful narration. I'll be buying a hard copy because the audiobook is a write-off

Brilliant book, dreadful performance.

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Sasha Higgens' narration lacks the gravitas essential to underscore this key turning point in the history of France and of Europe. The book on the other hand is based on the comprehensive and detailed investigation into the critical moment in the history of revolutionary radicalism. The guillotine never had more deserving victims than Robespierre and Saint Just. The pity is that Rousseau's malign and destructive idealism did not perish with them.

Spoiled by irritating narration

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I've always wanted to know what a revolution looks like. How and why they play out the way they do. listened to Mike Duncan podcasts, and was listening to his book "Hero of Two Worlds" and the section on the Terror there, that compelled me to learn more. How was it they killed Danton, but then killed Robespierre? Robespierre clearly had authority to execute his comrade, in spite of Danton's popularity... but seemingly didnt have enough authority to save his own skin?
The answer seems to be that these spiralling, twisting events occur... through absolute chaos intrigue luck and mistakes - like nearly all the big turns in history.
It evidently pays to be on the ball and ceaselessly working when everything's in the air. I hope our democracies prevent anything like this ever happening again.

How insane was that?

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This book is excellent and completely captures the chaos, fear and incomprehension of the events.

It is a pity therefore that it is narrated by someone who sounds like a small child. Her voice is completely inappropriate and trivialises the events described. In addition a number of words are mispronounced. Battalion has an “a” not an “I” at its centre. As there are many battalions mentioned this becomes very annoying. I only stayed listening to this book because of the excellence of the writing.

Intense story of death and revolution

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