Preserving the Monarchy: The Comte de Vergennes 1774-1787 [Hardcover]

Munro Price (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 24, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0521465664 | ISBN-13: 978-0521465663

The Comte de Vergennes is best known as one of the great foreign ministers of modern French history, but for much of the 1780s he was also first minister in all but name. This is the first book to deal in depth with the critical part he played in French domestic policies on the eve of the Revolution. His financial reforms, fully examined here, were the last attempt to restructure the monarchy in accordance with its traditional principles. The failure of this undertaking accelerated the final collapse of the royal government. This study is based on important new archival material, as well as on established sources which are often reinterpreted here.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this excellent book, Munro Price examines Vergennes's role in domestic politics--as distinguished from his career in diplomacy--and explains how experience and growth brought this conservative Burgundian to moderate reform....an impressive command of private and public archival material." American Historical Review

Book Description

The Comte de Vergennes is best known as a great foreign ministers of modern French history. Munro Price's new study of this fascinating and secretive man concentrates on the lesser-known aspect of Vergennes' career as Louis XVI's first minister, and includes hitherto unpublished material from the Vergennes family archive. The book casts a new and original light on Vergennes' crucial (but ultimately abortive) role in trying to reform and consolidate royal authority in the final years of the ancien régime.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 268 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (February 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521465664
• ISBN-13: 978-0521465663
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,392,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.