Synopsis
Drawing on a centuries-old file, this volume reproduces the last letters by prisoners of the French Revolution in the last few moments before their death, and sheds new light on this turbulent time
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Reviews
Among the thousands of "counterrevolutionaries" condemned to death by the French Revolutionary Tribunal were wives of emigres, people who had innocently corresponded with "persons abroad," speculators, civil servants who leaned toward the old order and citizens trying to prevent their family heritage from being obliterated. These "suspects" were branded enemies of the state and thrown into makeshift prisons during the Reign of Terror. This extraordinary volume contains 150 letters written by imprisoned women and men just hours, even minutes, before being executed. Some accept their fate philosophically, others are more defiant; many reiterate their innocence. Most of the letters are filled with love and sadness. These moving farewell notes speak to us directly across the centuries. Using police reports and prisoners' memoirs, French historian Blanc recreates the perverse conditions in the prisonsconverted schools, lunatic asylums, housesand shows how the authorities used false reports of prison riots as a pretext for mass executions.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
A fine example of historical popularization. Blanc has selected 150 letters composed by a broad range of personsfrom Marie Antoinette to artisans and shopkeepersimprisoned in Paris during the Reign of Terror. Government agents confiscated the letters, and thus they never reached their destinations. The letters poignantly reveal much about family life, society, religion, and politics. Blanc provides an excellent opening section in which he describes the prisons in Paris and evaluates the Reign of Terror. This book will appeal mostly to general readers, but specialists will benefit from some portions. Recommended for public as well as college libraries. Thomas J. Schaeper, History Dept., St. Bonaventure Univ., N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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