‘The French Revolution’ by Thomas Carlyle
Posted by Ralf Goergens on November 2nd, 2011 (All posts by Ralf Goergens)
In my previous post I had linked to the Internet Archive.
I recommend one book that you’ll find there, The French Revolution by the historian and satirical writer Thomas Carlyle. Besides the HTML version the IA also offers the book in a number of other formats.
Carlyle’s prose is very much a matter of taste. If you are interested in the subject matter and enjoy his eccentric and heavily metaphorical style of writing you are in for a real treat.
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Ralf, I have that one on the shelf. I will get to it one of these days.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:54 am
I would also recommend Hippolyte Taine’s contemporary account, also online.
November 3rd, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Lex,
‘I’ll get to it one of these days’ is a daily thought of mine. I have had Churchill’s Marlborough and Gibbon’s Decline and Fall on the shelf directly over my bed for years, but so far I simply couldn’t get around to either of them.
Ahem,
thanks, Taine seems an interesting author.
November 3rd, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Read Churchill’s My Early Life. It is not long and it is very good.
November 3rd, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I am sure that it is very sure. I have browsed through Marlborough and certainly enjoyed the parts I read.
November 3rd, 2011 at 3:09 pm
“I am sure that it is very good”, of course.
November 3rd, 2011 at 5:31 pm
You really must read Gibbon.
November 5th, 2011 at 11:18 am
Oh, I will, as soon as possible.
November 5th, 2011 at 11:19 am
I am saving Gibbon for my retirement, if that ever happens. Also Macaualay. Churchill said his speaking and writing style was based on Gibbon and Macaulay.