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Paul's avatar

Would be interested to hear your take on Arendt's comparison of French and US Revolutions in On Revolution.

With all the soul-searching related to the Declaration's 250th - especially in the shadow of Trump, I can't help thinking Zhou Enlai's response is also apt regarding the American Revolution.

Steven Benjamin's avatar

Showing my ignorance - what book(s) should I read to better understand the French Revolution?

Hope Ratner's avatar

Simon Schama’s “Citizens” may be worth a look.

Martin Reznick's avatar

Nietzsche points out (correctly!) that we Jews are great despisers, and this Hazlitt quote is music to my ears. We're built for this moment, baby.

JennyStokes's avatar

Before the Revolution started the British were terrified that this would happen in England.

So as usual, they used a propaganda campaign.

I suspect many of these poets succumbed out of fear of the British Establishment. Either way it is abhorrent behaviour.

Kevin R. McNamara's avatar

The 1805 Prelude is very much pro-Revolution, the 1850 version not. But by that time WW had published his pro-capital punishment sonnets.

Ed P's avatar

Absolutely, lovely thought-provoking piece, thank you.

I fucking hate tyrants