Liberty or Death, Peter McPhee
Liberty or Death, Peter McPhee
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Liberty or Death
The French Revolution

Author: Peter McPhee

Narrator: Christopher Grove

Unabridged: 17 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/09/2026


Synopsis

The French Revolution has fascinated, perplexed, and inspired for more than two centuries. It was a seismic event that radically transformed France and launched shock waves across the world. In this provocative new history, Peter McPhee draws on a lifetime's study of eighteenth-century France and Europe to create an entirely fresh account of the world's first great modern revolution—its origins, drama, complexity, and significance.
 
Was the Revolution a major turning point in French—even world—history, or was it instead a protracted period of violent upheaval and warfare that wrecked millions of lives? McPhee evaluates the Revolution within a genuinely global context: Europe, the Atlantic region, and even farther. He acknowledges the key revolutionary events that unfolded in Paris, yet also uncovers the varying experiences of French citizens outside the gates of the city: the provincial men and women whose daily lives were altered—or not—by developments in the capital. Enhanced with evocative stories of those who struggled to cope in unpredictable times, McPhee's deeply researched book investigates the changing personal, social, and cultural world of the eighteenth century. His startling conclusions redefine and illuminate both the experience and the legacy of France's transformative age of revolution.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Declan on August 20, 2025

What a peasant surprise. It seems a little unfair on Mr. McPhee to review his excellent history of the French Revolution in such proximity to Simon Schama’s awe inspiring Citizens, which I think has only risen in my estimations since I closed its covers. This was just as comprehensive -for which McP......more

Goodreads review by Matt on August 10, 2018

A detailed history of the Revolution's effects on the whole range of French society. McPhee uses interesting and even quirky primary sources to draw conclusions and make points about the minutiae of life in France during this period - which makes it a revealing history that goes beyond the main char......more

Goodreads review by Bas on July 05, 2024

To be able to write a great book of one the most complex events in human history of which there exists countless different contradictory interpretations is an impressive accomplishment. To be able to do it under 400 pages and to be actually good and nuanced is amazing. I'm happy to say this book is......more

Goodreads review by Price on December 26, 2016

I received a B.A. degree in French years ago. The study of French history and culture were included in the curriculum. After graduation, I've read several other history books specifically related to the French Revolution. This particular work was far more granular in detail than many of the other wor......more

Goodreads review by tara on March 29, 2022

Not a bad book exactly but has some frustrating inadequacies as a single volume history. There's a deliberate decision to focus a lot on what's happening outside of Paris but it means the writing is spread way too thin. A lot of key events are just sort of glossed over and there's no real sense of h......more