Jean Matrat's book is a must for any student of the French Revolution, particularly if one is interested in the Committee
for Public Safety that ruled France briefly from 1793-1794. The book contains pamphlets and newspaper articles of this turbulent era which gives the reader a firm sense of the dread and misery that accompanied one of history's most infamous chapters. Matrat's book describes, in depth, the causes of the Thermidorian revolt of July 1794 and its aftereffect. The subtitle "Tyranny of the Majority" is an apt description of what transpires within these pages, for without the people's consent, the Revolution never would have turned into the barbarism which it is now mostly noted for. Although Robespierre and his cronies are the most culpable of villians, the complicity of the masses certainly kept them on their pedestals. Their fall and justified horrible ending is well-chronicled here with no punches pulled. This is an important historical work with an attention to detail sorely lacking in other related histories.