The 18th century was France's century, and Louis XIV left a strong and stable monarchy to his successors. But in 1789, the game between the "old system" and the "Great Revolution" not only completely destroyed the former, but also disgraced its reputation. France also fell into turmoil until Napoleon reestablished order.
This book outlines the turbulent picture of this historical period. Colin Jones traces the twilight of the Bourbon dynasty in this ups and downs century with a gripping narrative. The irreconcilable struggle between the royal power and the High Court, the irreconcilable divide between the nobility and the common people, the wave of the Enlightenment, the impact of foreign wars... When the legacy of the "Sun King" becomes unsustainable in an increasingly complex environment, the "great nation" is destined to enter a new era.
