In - Defence Of The Terror: Liberty Or Death In T...

The book is best suited for readers already familiar with the French Revolution who are interested in political philosophy or the anthropology of violence. You can find more perspectives on The Guardian and Marx & Philosophy. Reviewed by Patrick King - Marx & Philosophy Society

Wahnich suggests the Terror was established to prevent massacres by the populace (like the September Massacres) by transferring the "right of vengeance" to the state. In Danton's words, the state had to "be terrible so as to spare the people the need to be so". In Defence of the Terror: Liberty or Death in t...

The book focuses on the emotions of the revolution —dread, fury, and sacred enthusiasm—arguing that these feelings were the driving force behind political decisions. The book is best suited for readers already