Some recommendations

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

I'm just stopping by to highly recommend the works of the historian Olivier Blanc, whose book Les hommes de Londres: Histoire secrète de la Terreur I'm in the process of reading. In this particular book, which has unfortunately not been translated into English (nor is it available for sale anywhere on the internet that I could find, despite its having come out in 1989!) Blanc makes a rather convincing argument for Barère's having been an agent paid by Pitt to undermine the Republic. I know that may sound on the paranoid side, but he has truckloads of documentation to prove it.

In any case, I believe the only books of Blanc's that have been translated into English are a book on 18th century architecture, which of course is not strictly related to the Revolution, and one called La dernière lettre: Prisons et condamnés de la Révolution, 1793-1793 and translated somewhat loosely as Last Letters: Prisons and Prisoners of the French Revolution, 1793-1794. I've only read excerpts from it, but from what I've read it seems worth recommending, especially as it's prefaced by Michel Vovelle.

From that particular book, I even have a picture for you, which you may not have seen before. (I know I hadn't.)


In case you can't read the caption - admittedly, it is a bit fuzzy - it says "Lucille Duplessis Epouse de Camille Desmoulins" or "Lucille Duplessis, wife of Camille Desmoulins."

My translation of Blanc's caption is, "'Good evening, my dear maman, a tear escapes from my eyes; it is for you. I am about to go to sleep in the calm of innocence.' Last note of Lucile Desmoulins, 13 April 1794. Writing and drawing (by Brune, the future marshal) conserved in the Historical Library of the City of Paris."

Also, on a completely unrelated note, read Timothy Tackett's Becoming a Revolutionary: The Deputies of the National Assembly and the Origins of the French Revolution. It is made of win.

Comments

Re: Poor Barère!

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

There is a great deal of evidence that has been discovered only recently. Much more time has passed since the Revolution than since the Cold War and all the protagonists of the former are dead, which is very helpful.

The focus in really not so much on the money Barère was taking from the English as his actions. Blanc is arguing in a manner completely opposite to what you suggest; instead of saying, "Barère was taking money, therefore he must have been doing Pitt's bidding," he starts by observing that some of Barère's actions are suspicious or difficult to explain if one supposes him a sincere republican doing what he thinks is best for France and then from there investigates Barère's connections and possible motives.

Re: Poor Barère!

[chip-squidley.livejournal.com]

I suppose we still are left with the problem that a good double or triple agent has to appear to be acting in the interests of the side he or she wants to fool. And any researcher should at least consider that possiblity even if ultimately they don't agree with it.

But I might be fooling myself until I read the book!

Re: Poor Barère!

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

Oh, he considers the possibility; whether he does so adequately or not is for you to decide--once you've read it.

Re: Poor Barère!

[chip-squidley.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, Amazon.fr wouldn't even admit that the book existed at first. It only showed up when I used the author and part of the title. It wouldn't give it to me with the author or with the author and the full title.

So it must be top-secret!

I was at least hoping for some reviews...but no luck!

Re: Poor Barère!

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

No, it's very hard to find. I couldn't buy it anywhere on the internet - I finally had to get it on interlibrary loan. If I were only very slightly more paranoid I would say it must be some kind of conspiracy...

Re: Poor Barère!

[chip-squidley.livejournal.com]

Ha! Perhaps the Masons are responsible!

Re: Poor Barère!

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

If we're going that route, I can think of more likely candidates.