Books by William (Emeritus Professor of History and Senior Research Fellow Doyle

This comprehensive, authoritative book traces the turbulent history of France from the 1774 accession of Louis XVI, through revolution, terror, and counter-revolution, to the final triumph of Napoleon in 1802. This third edition incorporates the results of twenty-first century research, and offers an up-to-date guide to further reading.

Aristocracies dominated the social, economic, and institutional history of all European countries until only a few generations ago. William Doyle strips away the myths and beliefs which have always surrounded them, looking at how these very distinctive governing elites held onto power, and analyses when, how, and why they eventually lost it.