This is the story of one of the most dynamic entrepreneurs in modern French history. Drawing upon a wealth of archival and private documentation. Lewis uncovers the history of Pierre-Francois Tubeuf and assesses his contribution to the development of industry in France. Lewis explores the relationship between seigneurial, proto-industrial, and modern forms of capitalism in the Cevennes region of southeastern France in the eighteenth century, and demonstrates the international scope of proto-industrialization. This subtle and scholarly study seeks to unravel the complex problems associated...

Alfred Cobban's Social Interpretation of the French Revolution is one of the acknowledged classics of postwar historiography. Cobban saw the French Revolution as central to the "grand narrative of modern history," but provided a salutary corrective to prevalent social explanations of its origins and development. A generation later this powerful historical intervention is now reissued with a new introduction by the distinguished scholar Gwynne Lewis. It provides students with both a context for Cobban's arguments, and assesses the course of Revolutionary studies in the wake of The Social...

Richard Cobb is one of the most active and influential English historians of France. During a long career of research and writing, his interest has ranged from the Revolution to Vichy. He is especially renowned for his seminal work on the popular movement and on popular attitudes and preoccupations during the Revolution, as well as on its provincial history. This collection of essays is written by his friends, and is dedicated to him. The essays reflect some of the issues that have preoccupied Richard Cobb. Focused on some less familiar corners of the history of the Directory and the...

France 1715-1804: Power and the People is a major new study of eighteenth century French society and politics which focuses on the struggles, beliefs and political significance of the poor. Gwynne Lewis' history opens with a full analysis of all the components of traditional France, including political and religious structures, the seigneurial system, the bourgeoisie and the poor. Part two examines the meaning and challenge of the Enlightenment, with particular reference to women and the mass of the poor. Part three concentrates upon the relationship between the shift to laissez-faire...

First Published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.