European Revolutions

From 1789 in France to 2011 in Cairo, revolutions have shaken the world. They have often, though not always, sparked cataclysmic violence, and have at times won miraculous victories, though at other times suffered devastating defeat. This Very Short Introduction illuminates the revolutionaries, their strategies, their successes and failures, and the ways in which revolutions continue to dominate world events and the popular imagination. 

'One of the funniest books about sport ever written' — Sunday Times 'Moore is a talented and funny writer, who, through a combination of slapstick, absurd simile and a healthy suspicion of French civilisation, gives us something to laugh at on every page' — Daily Telegraph 'Embarrassingly...

Brought to you by Penguin. The international best-selling author explores the revolutions—past and present—that define the chaotic, polarized and unstable age in which we live Populist rage, ideological fracture, economic and technological shocks, geopolitical dangers and an international...

Revolutions hold a distinct place in the popular imagination. This may be because their rhetoric, such as ‘liberty, fraternity, equality’, articulates aspirations with which we identify; or because we are shocked by the destructive forces unleashed when social conventions break down. Yet...

From the streets of Petrograd during the heady autumn of 1917, to Mao's stunning victory in October 1949, and Fidel's triumphant arrival in Havana, in January 1959, the history of the twentieth century was transformed in dramatic and profound ways by the Russian, Chinese and Cuban revolutions. Here, the stories of these epoch-defining events are told together for the first time. At the heart of each revolution was an epic journey: Lenin's 1917 return to Russia from exile in Switzerland; Mao's 'Long March' of 1934-35, covering some 6,000 miles across China; and Fidel Castro's return to Cuba.

Between 1793 and 1794, thousands of French citizens were imprisoned and hundreds sent to the guillotine by a powerful dictatorship that claimed to be acting in the public interest. Only a few years earlier, revolutionaries had proclaimed a new era of tolerance, equal justice, and human rights. How and why did the French Revolution's lofty ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity descend into violence and terror? 

'Eye-opening and inspirational . . . An utterly fascinating and gloriously fiery read' FELICITY CLOAKE 'A barnstorming book' GUARDIAN 'Fascinating . . . full of inspirational tales' OBSERVER Simone de Beauvoir borrowed her lover's bike to cycle around Paris in the 1940s, instantly falling in...

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious...

Winner of the Duff Cooper Prize One of The Economist's top history books of the year From one of our leading historians, the definitive history of the Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence was an unlikely cause, a disorganized collection of Greek patriots up against what...

In what is poised to be his breakout book, acclaimed historian Gareth Russell takes readers into the opulent, intricate world of Versailles with this meticulously researched and engaging history that follows six individuals during the tumultuous months leading directly to the French Revolution...

Dive into a cinematic narrative history of class conflict and rebellion that shattered an empire and birthed modern liberty. Perfect for your daily commute, this gripping educational journey drops you directly onto the volatile streets of 18th-century Paris. Witness firsthand how crippling debt...

Witness the ultimate paradigm shift in the history of science, where radical thinkers traded superstition for physics. Perfect for a stimulating commute or deep-focus listening, this narrative transports you directly to the Renaissance. Watch a world governed by magic, demons, and alchemy slowly...

A stimulating and expert analysis of the unique conditions that allowed Christianity to take shape and flourish across the Roman Empire during its first three centuries, from one of our leading historians of the ancient world “How did the intersection of Roman rule, Greek culture, and Judaean...

Experience the dramatic sweep of modern European history as sprawling empires collide and revolutions forge a new world. From the chaotic aftermath of the French Revolution to the chilling dawn of the Cold War, this gripping narrative captures the violent birth of our contemporary era. Perfect...

In The Idea of Europe and the Origins of the American Revolution, Dan Robinson presents a new history of politics in colonial America and the imperial crisis, tracing how ideas of Europe and Europeanness shaped British-American political culture. Reconstructing colonial debates about the European states system, European civilization, and Britain's position within both, Robinson shows how these concerns informed colonial attitudes towards American identity and America's place inside - and, ultimately, outside - the emerging British Empire.

Explore the gripping European history of fallen empires and radical revolutions that forged our global geopolitics. Perfect for your daily commute, this dramatic narrative transforms centuries of fragmented timelines into a cohesive, thought-provoking journey. Experience the epic clash between...

Witness the dramatic rise and fall of empires in this epic journey through modern European history and global conflict. Perfect for your daily commute or focused learning, this gripping narrative unravels the domino effect of revolutions, world wars, and ideological clashes. Feel the intense...

Experience the gripping political upheaval of a bloody revolution that shattered a monarchy and birthed modern politics. Perfect for your daily commute or a session of deep, focused learning, this immersive historical narrative transports you from the opulent halls of the Old Regime to the...

Dive into modern European history, where bloody revolutions and fallen empires forge fragile global unions. Perfect for your daily commute or deep-focus learning, this gripping narrative tracks the turbulent shift from absolute monarchies to industrial powerhouses. Feel the weight of mass...