In this reliable and succinct introduction to the French Revolution, Peter McPhee tackles the questions which are central to an understanding of this crucial period of French history. Why was there a revolution in France in 1789? Was France fundamentally changed as a result of it? And what effects did it have on everyday life? As well as providing an accessible interpretation of the events and consequences of the Revolution, it also provides an up-to-date guide to the mainhistoriographical debates. (Oxford)