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Colin Jones

The Great Nation: France from Louis XV to Napoleon (New Penguin History of France) Paperback – December 30, 2003

by Colin Jones (Author)

48 ratings

Part of: Allen Lane History (52 books)

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There can be few more mesmerizing historical narratives than the story of how the confident monarchy left by Louis XIV in 1715 became the discredited failure toppled by revolution in 1789. This brilliant new book is the first in forty years to describe the whole period, from the last days of the “Sun King” to the wars of Napoleon. In a groundbreaking work of scholarship, Colin Jones argues that, contrary to popular belief, the house of Bourbon’s downfall was hardly a foregone conclusion. Producing an illuminating account of a society torn apart from within, he recounts the saga of how a dynamic French society—the heart of the Enlightenment—fell prey to the debt and humiliation of its wars against Britain.

Print length

688 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Penguin Books
Publication date

December 30, 2003
Dimensions

5.1 x 1.2 x 7.8 inches
ISBN-10

0140130934
ISBN-13

978-0140130935
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The fullest and most reliable history we have of eighteenth-century France.” —William Doyle, Independent

“This is a work that merits the French designation magistral: masterly and authoritative.” —Robin Buss, Financial Times

About the Author

Colin Jones is professor of history at the University of Warwick, England.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books; 1st edition (December 30, 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 688 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140130934
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140130935
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.03 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 1.2 x 7.8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #647,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #560 in Historical France Biographies
- #728 in Renaissance Literary Criticism (Books)
- #1,255 in Royalty Biographies

Customer Reviews:
48 ratings

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Customer reviews

5 star		62%
4 star		20%
3 star		5%
2 star		11%
1 star		4%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Nicholas Roberts

Social-Political History of 18th century France

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2013

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Colin Jones does a great job describing the political and social history of France during the 18th century. The book starts with the death of Louis XIV and describes the economic mess and political mayhem that resulted from the War of the Spanish Succession and Louis' quest for glory. He then covers the history of France until Napoleon's coup of 18th Brumaire in 1799.

Jones covers the political and economic contexts of the time in excellent detail using statistics in many of his assertions. Each financial crisis, famine, and political crisis is covered and often sub headed to allow easy reference. If you are someone looking for a military history of the time this book may not be for you. Although there is references to the military and conflicts at the time, it is not covered in detail. Rather the results of those conflicts and the effects on the economy and organizational structure of France are considered. So if you looking for how the people of France and their governments ticked I suggest this book.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Rachel A Applegate

Readable, gripping, history.

Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2016

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This is a very thoughtful and thorough history, with plenty of detail of both daily life and high political machinations. In a sense, it is nice to go so quickly through some major events (e.g. the revolution) because you can focus on the high spots and not get bogged down on who did what on which day. French involvement in the American revolutionary war gets about 2 paragraphs! The author uses fairly advanced vocabulary but it still flows smoothly. It left me wanting to read another just like it, to cover the prior period or the next!

One person found this helpful

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Terri Lewis

Great history Book

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2018

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This book has great insight to the King Louis XV and the rest of the kings right up and including Napoleon.

One person found this helpful

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Laura N. Oliver

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2017

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fast shipping and perfect for up coming class

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Timothy P. McGarry

Deep and illuminating

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2018

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Provides context to developments in the French revolution that demonstrate more continuity to the previous decades than generally thought. Writing style tries a bit too hard at times but helps more than hurts

One person found this helpful

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loveshistory

Terrific history of France

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2013

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This is a fun, richly detailed history of france that is wonderfully human without neglecting structure--economy and society, politics. Brings in the latest research without weighing it down unduly with historiographical debate.

2 people found this helpful

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lilly

Needs better editing

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2013

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I have read quite number of books on the French Revolution. I bought this book because upon reading the other reviews I felt it might give a new and different perspective. While reading it I noticed several inconsistencies with facts as I knew them. I decided to disregard them because as often happens different authors can give different interpretations to a set of facts. However, toward the end of the book he makes a blatant error regarding the imprisonment of Louis XVI and his family. He states that the king's youngest daughter Marie Clotilde survived her imprisonment and was exchanged with the Austrians for French prisoners of war. Louis had two daughters. His elder daughter was Marie Therese (named after and by his mother-in-law Maria Theresa of Austria) and his younger daughter was Sophie. Sophie died in infancy. Marie Therese accompanied her father to the Tower and was the only member of the family to survive and she was the one exchanged for the French prisoners. Marie Clotilde was the younger sister of Louis. This fact is well documented and not open for interpretation.

Incidentally, one sister did decide to be imprisoned with Louis that sister was Madame Elizabeth. She was tried and executed not long after Marie Antoinette.

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2013

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This text is dense. Too dense. It is very wordy and makes for a dull read. It contains a lot of information, but is terrible to sift through for broader terms and information.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

SpiritofLakotaSioux

Stop defacing books. You are lazy make notes of the info you want to extract !

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2019

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I have bought a number of books from World of Books and they have been very good indeed. My complaint from my latest purchase The Great Nation by Colin Jones really is not down to World of Books. My problem is these stupid selfish idiots who use highlighter pens to deface the pages. This is in my opinion a disgusting habit Its akin to going to the toilet and not flushing it afterwards, leaving it for someone else.

One person found this helpful

ChrisW

The author is obviously very knowledgeable.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2016

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This is a hugely detailed account of the most important period in French history. I learned a lot. However, I found the book ill organised, repetitive and far too detailed for my purposes. I also found the author's predilection for using archaic and highly obscure vocabulary extremely irritating and unnecessary. The purpose of writing is to communicate, not to seek to impress. As a result I almost gave up reading this book and it took real determination on my part to finish it.

2 people found this helpful

Prof. P. J. Parsons

interesting but badly written

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2015

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Good facts and ideas, especially about the encyclopedists and about provincial culture;
sloppily pretentious style with a scatter of solecisms.

4 people found this helpful

Fulk Nerra

Scholarship combined with good writing.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2016

Verified Purchase

A quality piece of work. Scholarship combined with good writing.

Robbie

French History

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2012

Verified Purchase

This is a very detailed French political history, covering the French Revolution. I'm rereading as it's
such a fascinating subject, but, you have to be committed to some deep reading, but, well worth it.

One person found this helpful

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