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The contention of Georges Lefebvre that the peasantry occupied center stage during the early years of the Revolution is vindicated with the support of fresh evidence culled from archives, unpublished theses and other sources.
On the Back Cover
This book fills a gap in the literature on the French Revolution, and offers a synthesis which brings together the fruits of two generations research in the field of French rural and agrarian history. The contention of Georges Lefebvre that the peasantry occupied the centre-stage during the early years of the Revolution is vindicated with the support of fresh evidence culled from local and national archives, unpublished theses and little-known printed sources.
Review Quotes
1. "In this useful work of synthesis, P.M. Jones provides a timely critique of recent trends in the historiography of the peasantry in the French revolution." American Historical Review
2. 'While modestly claiming that his work is not based on original research, this book renews our understanding of the subject. With an acute sense of region, a preoccupation with politics and culture, the author continues a chronological and thematic approach which is stimulating as well as informative. In a conclusion, boldly termed 'the balance sheet', he examines the complexities of this vast experience with perceptive shrewdness. This is undoubtedly the finest book to appear, so far, in English, in these busy commemorative years of the Revolution.' Douglas Johnson, The Times Educational Supplement
3. "The quality of its scholarly research and its perceptive comparisons make this the best work on the role of peasantry in the French Revolution from 1787 to 1800." Choice
