Barricades: The War of the Streets in Revolutionary Paris, 1830-1848

From 1830 through 1848, Paris was rocked by two successful revolutions, three unsuccessful rebellions, and seven assassination attempts against King Louis-Philippe and his sons. Charles X was overthrown, Louis-Philippe restored order, and a revolutionary Republicanism emerged to challenge the status quo. Inspired by the Reign of Terror, the montagnard movement (as it came to be known) was characterized by violence, honor, and a romantic vision of heroism. But who were the men behind these rebellions? Using court records, newspapers, and memoirs, Jill Harsin introduces us to republican Parisians with astonishing tales of strife, massacre, and financial woes. She illuminates their hopes, dreams, fears and pain. These working class men gathered together and joined forces in an extraordinary battle for the security of their families and for their own dignity. The July Monarchy was an unparalleled, turbulent era, a period of both triumph and defeat. Barricades is a vigorous, spirited narrative that brings the fascinating heyday of the revolution to life in vivid detail. It is destined to stand as an enduring work on 19th century France.