danielgiraffereads's review against another edition
5.0
It's hard not to fall into Burke's rhetoric about the mistreating of Marie Antoinette. Over all, a well written argument against the French Revolution that I very much enjoyed reading.
eringraceh's review
4.0
In this book, despite some monarchical views that I don't quite agree with, Edmund Burke delivers an impassioned (and occasionally sarcastic) defense of liberty, freedom, and the true rights of men. I highly recommend to anyone interested in political theory, the history of the French Revolution, or if you're simply interested in protecting your personal freedoms.
idrees2022's review against another edition
2.0
The occasional validity of Burke's criticism of Jacobin excesses is completely undermined by the reactionary and chauvinistic philosophy in which it is couched. No wonder Mary Wollestonecraft and Thomas Paine were able to rip through his hoary ideas with such ease.
virtualmima's review against another edition
1.0
This backwards view of politics was inspired by fear alone. An aging Burke was clearly terrified of the French Revolution and its potential to spread to his own country. It's the same selfish cowardice that drives modern conservatism in its disregard for posterity through blind and stubborn fear of change.
blueyorkie's review against another edition
5.0
Scandalously unknown in France, this analysis of the Revolution written around 1791, is exceptional. Of course, this is not a history book; it told from a very subjective point of view that does not hesitate to dramatize things. But the interest lies in the profound understanding of the philosophy of the revolutionary process, led by ambitious and dogmatic theorists, who prefer to destroy everything rather than to compromise. In short, they do not know the art of politics, and this can only bring chaos and destruction. He thus predicts Terror and massacres, and even the seizure of power by an army chief! It also exposes the conservative truths, which teach us that society is an ancient and complicated heritage that we cannot shape as we please and that we must reform very carefully on pain of collapse. Finally, the style, classic, perhaps a little emphatic, is dazzling, so read it in the original English speakers! Just for this formula which shows that Burke prophesied the moral degradation that is modernity: "But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists and calculators has succeeded, and the glory of Europe extinguished forever ... "
thekalechip's review against another edition
2.0
Some interesting ideas and insights. Otherwise just kill me. Our teacher made us write a paper on this book
aristotle910's review against another edition
5.0
Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France is Burke’s critique on the radical change in government that happened in France during the late 18th century. Following the American Revolution, the lower class of France decided to revolt against the monarchy, overthrow it, and to start a democracy and a very libertarian set a values; “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité”. Burke very much worried about such a radical change in government, fearing that liberty without order would result in a destructive government that is even worse than the absolute monarchy. The French Revolution also marked the idea that the state could be completely atheistic and still support values beneficial to the people. Burke does not claim that religion is without err, but that an absolute atheist state has no limit on how radical it can be.
Burke covers many great points in this book, and is a must read for anyone curious about the French Revolution and the things behind the scenes.
5/5
Burke covers many great points in this book, and is a must read for anyone curious about the French Revolution and the things behind the scenes.
5/5