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Reflections on the Revolution In France Paperback – August 28, 2020
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Edmund Burke (1729–1797) was an Anglo-Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist, and philosopher who was one of the most influential figures of the 18th century. A Whig and a member of the British Parliament, he is generally regarded as the father of modern conservatism. He is best known for his support of the American Revolution, his defense of constitutionalism, and his critique of the French Revolution. Born in Dublin, Burke was educated at Trinity College and went on to become a lawyer and a political journalist. He was elected to the British House of Commons in 1765, where he represented the constituency of Wendover. Burke was an outspoken advocate of the American colonies in their struggle for independence and a staunch opponent of the French Revolution. He was a leading figure in the movement to repeal the Test and Corporation Acts, which prevented non-Anglicans from holding public office in England. Burke was a prolific author and wrote on a wide range of topics including political philosophy, economics, history, and even aesthetics. His most famous works are Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), A Vindication of Natural Society (1756), and his Speech to the Electors of Bristol (1774). Burke was an influential figure in the development of modern conservatism and his ideas have been widely influential in both the American and British political systems. His writings are still widely read and studied today. He is remembered as a great statesman and thinker whose legacy lives on in the principles of limited government, the rule of law, and the preservation of civil liberties.
- Print length172 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 28, 2020
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.43 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-13979-8680079065
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- ASIN : B08GVGCT5Q
- Publisher : Independently published (August 28, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 172 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8680079065
- Item Weight : 8.1 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.43 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #626,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,361 in Political Conservatism & Liberalism
- #2,760 in History & Theory of Politics
- Customer Reviews:
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Customers find the book relevant and insightful for understanding the origins of leftism. They describe it as a classic work of political philosophy that remains relevant two centuries later. Many consider it an excellent, worthwhile read with a nice appearance. However, opinions differ on the writing quality - some find it well-written and researched, while others consider it tedious or unreadable.
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Customers find the book relevant to our times. They say it's a classic work of political philosophy that remains relevant two centuries later. It's a brilliant statement of conservative principles and good for understanding the origins of leftism. Readers appreciate the wisdom in the book, which is a must-read for thoughtful citizens.
"...of the French National Assembly is masterful, and also contains lessons for today...." Read more
"This book is so relevant and eloquent. It is a beautiful and sane defense of conservative values, tradition, religion and government...." Read more
"There is a lot of wisdom in this book, written during the time of the origins of leftism...." Read more
"What Edmund Burke tells us in 1790, is very applicable for today, in 2013...." Read more
Customers find the book a good value for money. They say it's an excellent and worthwhile classic work by Burke, the father of modern conservatism. The edition is considered technical and a good addition to their library.
"...and since then handed down from generation to generation as a priceless birthright, as the proper inheritance of every American citizen...." Read more
"...I still think it's worth reading though, and the wise reader will notice the parallels between the chaos creation and murder of the original..." Read more
"...Who the Hell can read that. It is lame AVOID AT ALL COSTS" Read more
"In this classic work, Burke--the father of modern conservatism--criticizes the architects of the French Revolution and the new revolutionary..." Read more
Customers like the book's appearance.
"This book is so relevant and eloquent. It is a beautiful and sane defense of conservative values, tradition, religion and government...." Read more
"...I love the look of the book, but I personally need more space in the margins to write...." Read more
"...for a class i am in this semester and the book came quick and looked really nice!" Read more
Customers have different views on the writing quality of the book. Some find it well-written and eloquent, while others find it tedious, difficult to follow, and with small lettering and grammatical errors. The presentation is also criticized for being substandard.
"This book is so relevant and eloquent. It is a beautiful and sane defense of conservative values, tradition, religion and government...." Read more
"...However, it's not an easy read. His sentence structure tends to be long and convoluted...." Read more
"Love Edmund Burke. He was, I believe, one of the greatest writers and statesmen of his time. His command of the English language was superlative...." Read more
"...one of the best explications of traditional conservatism, Burke's writing is often tedious and hampered by the epistolary format of his work." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2010I don't think anyone involved in my education ever required me to read this book, which I find one of the most interesting books of the last 500 years.
As an example of Burke's thinking, let's turn to the "natural rights" of man: "life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness." The traditional defense of these arguments has been that they derive from God, or from Providence, or from Nature (whatever "Nature" with-a-capital-N might turn out to be!)
But by now, there is an entirely different, Burkean argument for these rights. I can't put the argument with Burke's eloquence, but he would say that these are **American** rights, declared at the founding of our nation, and since then handed down from generation to generation as a priceless birthright, as the proper inheritance of every American citizen. They don't have to "derive" from anywhere except the American political tradition, the American political inheritance, which we should be on constant guard to protect, so that we may hand the same precious birthright on, to our children and grandchildren.
Burke's analysis of the French National Assembly is masterful, and also contains lessons for today. What impressed Burke strongly was the devotion of the revolutionaries to abstract ideas, and the fact that they delivered the government of France into the hands of incompetents. Almost 300 of the 600 were petty lawyers, plus some illiterate peasants and a few merchants --- "and you expect these people to run a government?" Burke would ask, adding, "especially after all legitimate power had been destroyed?" He tellingly notes that NONE of the members of the National Assembly had any experience with government, and so (obviously) they were not up to the task.
Compare and contrast this with the current situation in Washington, where almost none of the appointees or czars has any experience with running a business, much less a government. Burke would be saying, with sarcasm, "Well, what would you expect?" You cannot govern through mere abstractions such as "Hope" and "Change." If you want to deal with the outside world, you need a Secretary of State with some experience in foreign affairs. If you want to help the economy recover from a bad shock, you need some people with experience at doing so. If you want to plug an oil leak, do NOT send out for more professors --- send out for people with experience at plugging oil leaks.
Burke points out a huge list of other problems, such as the mob in Paris demanding that ALL bishops be immediately hung from the lampposts, the endless series of murders, assassinations, and "expropriations" which led France into chaos, and then the Great Terror. By the time Napoleon swings by to pick up the broken pieces, and begin his own career as a murderer of Europeans by the millions, you may at least find yourself wondering whether Edmund Burke was not right: establishing and running a successful government is not a task for children or for ideologues. An essential factor is respect for what has gone before, and the old American attitude of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
I recommend this book very highly, and would only caution that it makes for slow reading, because every single sentence is pregnant with thought.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024This book is so relevant and eloquent. It is a beautiful and sane defense of conservative values, tradition, religion and government. I would highly recommend it. It is a rebuttal of the French revolution but can be used for any form of “progressive” revolution. Excellent!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024There is a lot of wisdom in this book, written during the time of the origins of leftism. It's impressive how astute Burke was at discerning leftism's evils early on.
However, it's not an easy read. His sentence structure tends to be long and convoluted. I still think it's worth reading though, and the wise reader will notice the parallels between the chaos creation and murder of the original leftists and those of today.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2017Love Edmund Burke. He was, I believe, one of the greatest writers and statesmen of his time. His command of the English language was superlative. He cannot be surpassed for eloquence. Anyone who has even a cursory interest in the French Revolution cannot ignore his writings. Burke stands like a great and majestic British Oak tree underneath whose strong and spreading branches you can find shade and take rest.
Burke was fighting, in reality, proto-communism. He saw with prescient clarity where the Jacobin philosophies would lead. He sounded a clear warning about the dire and destructive consequences that the French Revolution would unleash.
He immediately saw that the French Revolution was not at all what it ostensibly claimed to be —Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. It was instead a rebellion; a rebellion against authority-- any authority- all authority- in any form. The heralded “empire of light and reason” would bring forth a dark and dangerous ochlocracy.
Of course, if you’re any student of history you will have heard of the debate between Burke and Thomas Paine. Although Paine does well in arguing his case- his points do have weight and merit, he cannot approach Burke in eloquence, beauty of language or power of metaphor.
Burke will stand, as he has stood for over two hundred years, as a beacon and light over and against those who have claimed- and continue to claim- that only they know what’s best for mankind.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024This is one third of the actual text and it is super tiny. The one star reviews kinda got buried, so I’m warning people this way. Returning it.
This is one third of the actual text and it is super tiny. The one star reviews kinda got buried, so I’m warning people this way. Returning it.
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2013What Edmund Burke tells us in 1790, is very applicable for today, in 2013. What ever your political leanings, Burke clearly, consisely, and through great prose, shows us the dangers when society allows mobocracy to rule, instead of the law ruling. Picking and choosing which laws must be followed is anathema to Burke's great thought.
Laws and Constitutions must be held in exactness, or legally changed, lest anarchy arises from within.
Burke's prose sings this very day. I found myself reading aloud on many occasions. This is a book that must you must take time and slowly read. I encourage reading many passages aloud to feel the true impact. I nod in humble agreement to everything Burke posits on. The weight of his words must be viewed as a wake-up call for all teetering domestic and political societies.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2024In this classic work, Burke--the father of modern conservatism--criticizes the architects of the French Revolution and the new revolutionary government for their unyielding radicalism and wanton destruction of society's institutions. In Burke's view, the traditions of a society should be respected and its institutions altered gradually; a tradition should be eliminated or an institution replaced only if there is a reasonable assurance that the society as a whole will benefit.
Some of this is pretty heavy-going (particularly the details about the composition of the Directory and the Cantons), but it is wise and well-written. Contemporary conservatism would benefit greatly from drinking deeply at the well of Burke.
Top reviews from other countries
- AugustinReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good wisdom
Can be a hard read however it offers a glimpse of what our ancestors wished to both achieve and the dangers of a poor revolution
- VishalReviewed in India on October 15, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Finely wrought
A scathing polemic against the follies of French revolution written in a most ornate, almost filigreed, style, which has come to be identified as typical Burkean mode of writing. The winding style can be a bit thoroughgoing initially, but once you've got the hang of the tempo you will see why even the most strident critics of Burke would kill to be able to write like him.
- PhillipReviewed in Australia on January 4, 2025
3.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent
Very difficult to read
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Cristiano MestrinerReviewed in Brazil on July 17, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars A origem do conservadorismo
Esse livro é fundamental para quem quer entender o surgimento do pensamento intelectual conservador. Burke com uma lucidez magistral desmonta literalmente aquele que talvez seja o maior fetiche da humanidade, a Revolução Francesa. Eu quando jovem era marxista e acreditava no socialismo. O tempo foi passando e eu fui ficando mais moderado até conhecer Burke e Tocqueville. Lendo e relendo esse livro pude notar quão mal formada é nossa intelectualidade, que nos ensina Rousseau, Marx, Bourdier, Foucault, mas nunca leu um gigante como Burke nem cita que existe um autor como ele. Um livro indispensável.
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YanReviewed in Brazil on November 26, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Obra Prima
Grande clássico do conservadorismo, que nas escolas passa batido ou é confundido com mero reacionarismo. A tão idealizada pela esquerda moderna Revolução Francesa, que ascendeu um governo mais autoritário e mais belicoso (Napoleão), é desconstruida pelo brilhante autor.