Paris in the Terror

This is an excellent book. It deserves to be read if only to gain something from the author's outstanding prose. I note that its many critics here, all complaining that as history the book is a failure, fail to give examples. As to the author's obvious prejudices (he likes Danton, dislikes Robespierre, etc.), the reader is not overwhelmed by them, and they speak well to human nature.

Motivated by "patriotic or altruistic impulses," the major players of the Terror valued their ideals above life. IN either taking lives or sacrificing their own, Characters such as Marat, Robespierre, Danton, and Charlotte Corday each contributed to the bloody reign of Terror.Although written after much research, Loomis' work appeals to the scholar and the layperson alike. Loomis's style is pleasant and his words read like fiction. Through vivid description Loomis recreates the sights, sounds, and emotions of the Terror in the mind of the reader. Loomis divides the Terror into three sections: the death of Marat, the trial of Danton, and the fall of Robespierre. In part one the reader learns about Marat as well as his executioner, Charlotte Corday. Part two tells the tale of strategic politics and a friendship betrayed. The reader sees the demise of one of the most powerful men in France in part three. The story is broken up at many points as Loomis enlightens the reader about the history of the characters. This tends to disturb the flow of the story, but the author gives the reader excellent information and never fails to complete a story. Loomis' style allows the reader to possess critical knowledge pertaining to the motivations and the intentions of the characters. While providing extensive background information and eloquent prose, Loomis also gives insight into the personalities of the figures in the Terror. By providing background Loomis allows the reader to infer motivations and feelings. Looking at diaries, journals, and transcripts, the reader gets a clearer picture of characters through the eyes of contemporaries. Loomis draws emotion from the reader as he grows close to the players in the story of the Terror.The most significant lesson Loomis teaches is that the characters in the Terror were ordinary people in extraordinary times. Each person features truly believed he or she was working for the benefit of France. Corday was saving France by killing Marat, Robespierre was cleansing the country, and even Madame Roland believed she could save the nation. Whatever the reader's preconceptions, after reading this book, he will better understand why the Terror happened.The Terror swept through Paris and fears ran throughout France, leaving no one untouched. The major players of the Terror each believed he or she had the answers to save the country. While having good intentions, they each played a role in the reign of Terror.

Great reading. A very insightful and deliciously written account of the French Revolution. Stanley Loomis has made history entertaining and fun to read while maintaining a high-degree of literary style and insighful witticisms. I have to agree with David Keller, viz., how could one not like this book? What more do you want? This is it! Hurray Loomis!

This book is very entertaining, interesting, and is written with a tasteful style. I suppose that if one concentrates on merely deconstructing books instead of appreciating them as prose works, one would tend to be hypercritical here, as the book does take some historiocitical liberties. Yet, as a professor of Comparative Literature, I have yet to find a works on the French Revolution that my students read with so much interest and enthusiasm as we have here. Perhaps it is the personable nature of his writing style, or his focus on characters and personality more than objective history, but in the final consensus this is truly a masterpiece. I am a bit amazed at negative reviews of this book. I ask these people, could you write better? If so, try it! Then you will find that it is far easier to criticize than it is to complete a works as entertaining as this! Highly recommended! Bravo Loomis!