Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon

By: Suzanne M. Desan, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Suzanne M. Desan

Length: 24 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

The 25 years between the onset of the French Revolution in 1789 and the Bourbon Restoration after Napoleon in 1814 is an astonishing period in world history. This era shook the foundations of the old world and marked a permanent shift for politics, religion, and society - not just for France, but for all of Europe. An account of the events alone reads like something out of a thrilling novel:

• France’s oppressed and hungry masses rise up against their government.
• In Paris, crowds storm the Bastille looking for bread and weaponry.
• Rumors, panic, and fear grip the nation as it faces an uncertain future.
• The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man, the first bold step toward the invention of democratic politics and a republican state.
• A young Corsican named Napoleon Bonaparte stuns Europe with his military strategy and political boldness.

Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon is your opportunity to learn the full story of this captivating period. Taught by Dr. Suzanne M. Desan, these 48 exciting lectures give you a broad and comprehensive survey of one of the most important eras in modern history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2013 The Great Courses

Fascinating History Very Well Told

Any additional comments?

Professor Desan does a tremendous job explaining what led to the revolution, how it wen awry, and the consequences. An engrossing look at one of the most fascinating periods in history.

well done

audible hopes you enjoy this program fascinating and highly informative. I learned a lot. Well organized and a stimulating presentation

excellent summary

I have read several books about the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon. They usually focus on a specific issue of that time period. This course brought everything together. She gives the right amount of detail yet still moves the story forward at a good pace. I highly recommend this course.

Phenomenal Lecturer and Historian

Suzanne Desan is one of the most engaging lecturers I've ever heard. As an absolutely brilliant subject matter expert on the world of the Revolution, she capably weaves the grand narratives of economic forces and class conflict with intimate looks at the prime movers and precipitating moments. In effect, she makes you feel that you've lived it yourself and know the people well.

Vive la République ! One of the Best Great Courses

This is a great book. If you are interested in history and especially the era of the French Revolution and Napoleon you must listen to this coarse. The presenter is a great orator and the recording is clear. The lecture is very interesting and thorough. I highly recommend it.

Everything you could want in a French Revolution

Desan organizes and delivers her lectures to create the most wide ranging course on the French Revolution and Napoleonic times, using different lenses and narratives to shape a familiar and unknown story. She covers every piece of the Revolution, from Saint-Domingue to Borodino, discusses every class, different provinces within France, and different sections of Paris itself. I never felt rushed or confused by her lectures, as she carefully familiarizes each character in the Revolution and mentions them only for maximum understanding rather than rattling off names. Cannot recommend this course enough, by far the superior history of the French Revolution Audible has to offer.

A Must Listen

I really enjoyed learning about the revolution as I didn't remember much from high school!

Fantastic!

I took professor Desan’s course at UW Madison and couldn’t get enough so I decided to relive the lectures over the summer. Needless to say I think they’re great!

Excellent lecture series

This is one of the best Great Courses I’ve listened to. Dr. Desan is extremely knowledgeable and explains the whys and hows behind events, rather than just describe what happened. Her style is direct with just the right degree of passion. This is what I hope for in a Great Courses lecture series.

You may see other reviews saying Dr. Desan is unforgivably biased or politically motivated. I did not hear that at all and thought she did an excellent job of presenting and explaining the course of events and was fair to both sides. My guess is if you enjoy reading history from academics rather than fire-breathing US political commentators, you will enjoy this quite a bit.

Incredible story, mediocre narration

The history of the French Revolution did not start with the storming of the Bastille and did not end with the execution of the French King and Queen. The story of events leading up to the Revolution and the events which turned the revolutionary dream into a nightmare are riveting and worth your time. Unfortunately the narrator for this course does not do the telling justice. She is monotone, dull, and her forced deep bass is annoying throughout the course. If it weren’t for the interesting subject I wouldn’t have made it through the introduction.