Festivals and the French Revolution

Appeared in Choice on 1988-09:
Historians of the French Revolution and scholars concerned with the theory of culture will welcome this smooth English translation of a remarkable study, first published in 1976 under the title La Fete revolutionaire, 1789-1799. Ozouf challenges the popular view that the festivals of the French Revolution were little more than attempts by various political factions to direct public sentiment. Rather, she emphasizes the commonality of the festivals throughout the decade, viewing them as expressions of the revolutionary will seeking to establish a liberal, modern, secular state. Drawing upon an impressive collection of archival sources from all over France, Ozouf analyzes in great detail the texts, circumstances, symbols, and organization of the many and varied festivals of the Revolution. She does much more, however. The questions she raises go far beyond the Revolution to broad inquiries into the ways in which a society expresses its cultural identity. Lynn Hunt, a leading American historian of the Revolution, provides a very useful foreword. Highly recommended for college and university libraries. -G. C. Bond, Auburn University
Appeared in Library Journal on 1988-05-15:
This insightful study of the French Revolutionary festival is certainly one of the most important works on the Revolution to appear in English in the last 25 years. In this novel approach, Ozouf concentrates on the symbolism, psychology, and significance of the festival, showing the importance of the festival in creating a new world view. The festival is regarded as a medium for national civic education and a manifestation of a new world order basic to modern civilization. Aided by an excellent translation, this thoughtful work will interest serious lay readers and scholars. Highly recommended. William C. McCully, Park Ridge P.L., Ill. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.