“Ciudadanos” by Simon Schama. A Chronicle of the French Revolution

The great work devoted to the French Revolution and its era is published in Spain. An essential classic that dissects each and every aspect of the historical moment.

Cover of the book Ciudadanos. Simon Schama, 2019. Editorial Debate.

In 1989, one of the most important works written to date on the French Revolution and its era was published in English: Citizens, by Simon Schama. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the event, the writer rendered an impressive historical fresco in the more than a thousand pages that make up the book. Twenty years later, the Debate publishing house has done Schama justice by publishing the text in Spanish: today it is already possible to enjoy the gripping read of this book, which is on its way to becoming a classic. With a radically different point of view from any other, Ciudadanos shows us the moment of the French Revolution and its repercussions in every sphere, in a new light. Neither were (all) the revolutionaries avengers of justice, nor were (all) the aristocrats of the time idle macaron-eaters. As in any historical event, the thousand nuances that dotted the situation of the period allow us to glimpse the facts in an innovative and undoubtedly fascinating way.

Portrait of Simon Schama. La Voz de Galicia.

In the book’s preface, Schama begins his presentation with the following anecdote: “When asked about the importance of the French Revolution, Prime Minister Zhou Enlai is said to have replied: ‘It is too early to tell'”. The Chinese leader may have been right, and two hundred years may not be enough time to issue an opinion or verdict. For this reason, the writer focuses on the facts and on exhaustive research to offer a magnificent panorama of the Paris of the time and of its characters. Politicians, revolutionaries, courtiers, kings… They live in its pages and flood them with passion. The terrible and sentimental Robespierre, quick to tears; the playwright Beaumarchais, an arriviste and exhibitionist; the economist Jacques Necker, in the service of Louis XVI; the painter and friend of Marie Antoinette Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, symbol of the privileges of the upper classes and later pardoned by history… All of them make up a sensational polyptych that seethes with the era’s yearnings for change. Because, as Schama says, the Revolution was “the crucible of modernity, the vessel into which, for better or for worse, all the features of the modern world had been poured”. Ciudadanos is, therefore, an essential and delightful read for all lovers of history; but also for those who enjoy quality literature.

Ciudadanos available on Amazon

You may also like

The Museo Picasso de Malaga Opens the Largest Bruce Nauman Retrospective in 25 Years“Historia y arte de la mirada”. Mark Cousins Takes Up the Baton from John Berger“Filosofia y ficcion”. Reflections and Stories by Ignacio Gomez de Liano“Eter”: Anka Moldovan Exhibits Her Latest Work in MieresCristina Iglesias Creates a Site-Specific Work for the Royal Academy of ArtsBanksy Back in the Spotlight