Pierre Vergniaud : voice of the French Revolution / by Claude G. Bowers.

This work contains black and white portraits of Pierre Vergniaud and other individuals relevant to his personal and political life.

The item houses a footnotes section.

This book contains a page listing the illustrations throughout the book.

This items holds black and white drawn images of places and events from throughout the span of the French Revolution.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 501-505) and index.

I. Portrait of a genius -- II. Genius in the bud -- III. Advocate of Bordeaux -- IV. The revolutionist of Bordeaux -- V. A new voice in France -- VI. Madame Roland: her coterie and Vergniaud -- VII. Encircling the court -- IX. The Girondins and the king -- X. Vergniaud shakes the throne -- XI. A dynasty dies -- XII The revolution stains itself -- XIII. A republic born in a storm -- XIV. The battles of the gods -- XV. Vergniaud's friends: a tragic drama -- XVI. Vergniaud in shining armor -- XVII Vergniaud and Robespierre cross swords -- XVIII. The anarchists have their fete -- XIX. Prisoner without accusation -- XX. In durance vile -- XXI. Anarchy holds the reigns of justice -- XIII Decapitation of the republic.

'No event in history is more replete with meaning to the masses of mankind than the French Revolution, non more fascinating in its dramas of romance and tragedy, non so valuable in charting the course of political liberty and progress. The most dramatic years of the revolution were in from the autumn of 1791 to the autumn of 1793. It was during this period that the Revolution reached high tide and began its recession toward anarchy and license, culminating in the terror and the death of the Republic. Throughout this period the most brilliant and eloquent leader in the Assembly and Convention was Pierre Vergniaud [...] In eloquence, Vergniaud was the master of all his competitors. His greatest orations bear comparison with those of Demosthenes and Cicero, who were his models. I share the opinion of numerous French historians and critics that Vergniaud's orations were more masterful than Mirabeau's. The latter moved with the revolutionary current, the tide with him, but Vergniaud, struggling against the crosscurrents of factional fury at a later date, required more finesse and art than was required of Mirabeau. Competent critics of his own day, supported by historians, declarer him the greatest orator ever produced by the French Tribune. The warnings of his speeches amount to prophecies that was fulfilled. I have made free use of these orations, partly because they embody Vergniaud's soul, perfectly reflect his idea and ideals, and describe events with such accuracy that they anticipate the findings of scientific historians. Then, too, they are a part of French literature. They have a literary flavor unapproached by any other orator of the Revolution. We shall find passages of rare beauty, worthy of the poet he was at hear.' -- from the preface