Louis XVI: The Silent King

by John Hardman

Overview

Louis XVI was at the center of the French Revolution, one of the major turning points in world history, but he remains relatively little known, often portrayed only as the weak, lazy, and treasonous king dominated by Marie-Antoinette. This new investigation by John Hardman, a leading expert on the French Revolution, challenges this stereotype. Drawing on new evidence from Louis XVI's letters and from a large body of new research, Hardman provides the first detailed reconstruction of the king's political thought and sheds new light on the king's character and personality. Ideal for students and scholars of modern history, Louis XVI is an important reconsideration of key aspect of the French and a lively introduction to this willfully enigmatic man.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780340706503
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/28/2000
Series:	Reputations
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

John Hardman is at University of Edinburgh.

Table of Contents

General editorial preface

Editorial Reviews

"Unique insights into a king who argued that he sincerely loved the people, who bemoaned the lack of morality on the international scene, who preferred peace to war, and who read Thomas à Kempis in prison. This book presents a nuanced view of an honorable man who believed that "one can never govern a country against its inclinations...No one can rival his understanding of the various facets of the king's personality or of the sources." --History

"Thought provoking...this work is recommended for undergraduate and general readership." --CHOICE

From the Publisher

Thought provoking...this work is recommended for undergraduate and general readership.

CHOICE

Unique insights into a king who argued that he sincerely loved the people, who bemoaned the lack of morality on the international scene, who preferred peace to war, and who read Thomas à Kempis in prison. This book presents a nuanced view of an honorable man who believed that "one can never govern a country against its inclinations...No one can rival his understanding of the various facets of the king's personality or of the sources.

History