What makes a good history book? Subject matter? Writing style? Clarity? Whatever your answer may be, Jeremy D. Popkin’s A NEW WORLD BEGINS qualifies.

First, let me say how well organized the book is. I’ve always found the French Revolution to be one big mess of Assemblies, Estates Generals, multiple constitutions, royalists, federalists and republicans. That doesn’t even begin to take into account the numerous personalities. A NEW WORLD BEGINS does a great job of defining and describing the existing polity, the catalyst that tears it apart, and the resulting new condition that replaces it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the detailed forays into seemingly trivial things, like the role of plays, pamphlets and clubs. One would be hard-pressed not to see similarities to today’s social media. It immediately brings to mind Thomas Paine --- and almost on cue, Paine enters the story.

"What makes a good history book? Subject matter? Writing style? Clarity? Whatever your answer may be, Jeremy D. Popkin’s A NEW WORLD BEGINS qualifies."

Given the litany of events and many personalities, the book demands analysis, not just a synopsis of events, and here Popkin has done a superb job. It would be impossible to write about the storming of the Bastille or the execution of the king without attempting to understand motive.

Here, Popkin tries to breathe life into the thoughts and pressures of characters dead for 200 years. He does it admirably and with balance. In particular, I enjoyed his take on Robespierre. The book has a more sympathetic --- I hope that isn’t too strong of a word --- view of his options and behavior than I’ve ever given him. I now want to read more about the revolutionary leader and what inspired and motivated him.

The sweep of the book is ambitious and long. Over a span of 27 years, it begins with historical context, comparing two French lives: the King and a future revolutionary. It explains the writings and philosophies that laid the foundation for their confrontation. Through the Assemblies, great halls of Paris and streets of Grenoble, the writing succeeds in allowing us to feel the rising tension and conflict. When the crowd storms the Bastille, there is a sense of completion until a quick glance at the page number warns us that there is much more to come.

From there, A NEW WORLD BEGINS takes us through all of the major events as the revolutionaries struggle to define who they are and what they want France to look like when they are finished. Often, these events become uncontrollable, and yesterday’s revolutionary hero is today’s traitor forfeiting his life.

Just as rebellion and hard times are challenging the life of the Revolution, war comes to the fledgling government. Walking right through the doors opened by those wars was a young Corsican soldier who would put his stamp not only on the battles but on the Revolution itself. Again, Popkin does an excellent job of adding context to decisions and actions that allow us to understand how this unknown lieutenant became Emperor Napoleon.

Certainly, my favorite part of the book is the characters. Whether it is the long list of notables --- Louis XVI, Mirabeau, Sieyes, Marat, Danton, Robespierre, Napoleon --- or the soulful, personal accounts that open and close the book, each person adds to the story and is animated with thought, appearance and will.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive, well-written journey through this thrilling period, A NEW WORLD BEGINS is for you.