France and the Age of Revolution: Regimes Old and New from Louis XIV to Napoleon Bonaparte (International Library of Historical Studies)

From the turmoil and tragedy of the French Revolution to the rise and fall of the enigmatic figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, the history of France between 1789 and 1815 is one of the most enduringly fascinating – and widely-studied – periods of history. In this volume, the renowned historian William Doyle provides a new perspective on several key themes within the history of this period - from the world of the Ancien Régime to the Battle of Waterloo. He sheds new light on the causes of the French Revolution and the impact of the revolution outside France. In taking a fresh look at the Napoleonic Empire, he considers the influences on Napoleon's leadership decisions and the machinations of his court. Written by one of the leading historians of Revolutionary France, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Europe. From The Turmoil And Tragedy Of The French Revolution To The Rise And Fall Of The Enigmatic Figure Of Napoleon Bonaparte, The History Of France Between 1789 And 1815 Is One Of The Most Enduringly Fascinating - And Widely-studied - Periods Of History. In This Volume, The Renowned Historian William Doyle Provides A New Perspective On Several Key Themes Within The History Of This Period - From The World Of The Ancien Regime To The Battle Of Waterioo. He Sheds New Light On The Causes Of The French Revolution And The Impact Of The Revolution Outside France. In Taking A Fresh Look At The Napoleonic Empire, He Considers The Influences On Napoleon's Leadership Decisions And The Machinations Of His Court. Written By One Of The Leading Historians Of Revolutionary France, This Book Will Be Essential Reading For Anyone Interested In The French Revolution And Napoleonic Europe.--publisher's Website. Part 1: Functions For Sale. Colbert And The Sale Of Offices ; Voltaire And Venality: The Ambiguities Of An Abuse ; Secular Simony: The Clergy And The Sale Of Offices In Eighteenth-century France -- Changing Notions Of Public Corruption (c. 1770-c. 1850). -- Part 2: The Old Order Disintegrates. The Union With Ireland In A European Context ; The French Revolution: Possible Because Thinkable Or Thinkable Because Possible? ; Desacralising Desacralisation ; The French Revolution And Monarchy ; The American Revolution And The European Nobility. -- Part 3: Napoleon: An Undemocratic Revolutionary. The Naboleonic Nobility Revisited ; Napoleon, Women And The French Revolution ; The Political Culture Of The French Empire ; Revolutionary Napoleon. William Doyle. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents 5 Illustrations 7 Introduction 9 PART I - FUNCTIONS FOR SALE 13 1. Colbert and the Sale of Offices 15 2. Voltaire and Venality: The Ambiguites of an Abuse 33 3. Secular Simony: The Clergy and the Sale of Offices in Eighteenth-Century France 47 4. Changing Notions of Public Corruption (c.1770-c.1850) 65 PART II - THE OLD ORDER DISINTEGRATES 83 5. The Union with Ireland in a European Context 85 6. The French Revolution: Possible because Th inkable or Thinkable because Possible? 103 7. Desacralising Desacralisation 111 8. The French Revolution and Monarchy 121 9. The American Revolution and the European Nobility 137 PART III - NAPOLEON: AN UNDEMOCRATIC REVOLUTIONARY 155 10. The Napoleonic Nobility Revisited 157 11. Napoleon, Women and the French Revolution 167 12. The Political Culture of the French Empire 183 13. Revolutionary Napoleon 197 Notes 215 Index 233 From the turmoil and tragedy of the French Revolution to the rise and fall of the enigmatic figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, the history of France between 1789 and 1815 is one of the most enduringly fascinating - and widely-studied - periods of history. In this volume, the renowned historian William Doyle provides a new perspective on several key themes within the history of this period - from the world of the Ancien Regime to the Battle of Waterloo. He sheds new light on the causes of the French Revolution and the impact of the revolution outside France. In taking a fresh look at the Napoleonic Empire, he considers the influences on Napoleon's leadership decisions and the machinations of his court. Written by one of the leading historians of Revolutionary France, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Europe. Content: Part 1: Functions for sale. Colbert and the sale of offices Voltaire and venality: The ambiguities of an abuse Secular simony: The clergy and the sale of offices in eighteenth-century France -- Changing notions of public corruption (c. 1770-c. 1850). -- Part 2: The old order disintegrates. The union with Ireland in a European context The French Revolution: Possible because thinkable or thinkable because possible? Desacralising desacralisation The French Revolution and monarchy The American Revolution and the European Nobility. -- Part 3: Napoleon: An undemocratic revolutionary. The Napoleonic nobility revisited Napoleon, women and the French Revolution The political culture of the French Empire Revolutionary Napoleon.