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Maximilien Robespierre: Nationalist dictator

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Eagan's book should not be regarded as a convoluted attempt to distort the 'true' values of the French Revolution! it's primary aim was, in 1938, to understand the rational behind the fascist regimes of europe by looking at the nationalistic features of Maximilien Robespierre. One should not disregard it as useless, just because of the images fascism evokes. In 1938 it was a viable form of government which had succeeded in bringing stability to 2 disperate regimes.
As a historical source, one can see how the politics of a period can influence a historians perception and beliefs. As historians we strive to achieve an impartial and accurate picture of a certain event, yet this is a nigh on impossible task - as this book shows.
As for the accusation that it is distorting the aims of the revolution, this is rubbish! A key part of the revolutions character was the feverent nationalism which emerged, a similarity which Eagan would not have failed to notice in 1938 with italy and germany.

Written in the late Thirties, this book is a misguided attempt to interpret Robespierre as a precursor to Hitler and Stalin. It is a complete distortion of the aims and goals of the French revolution. Interested readers should pursue histories by Thompson, Hampson, Jordan and Rude instead to get a more accurate portrait of Robespierre