This collection of lectures investigates the evolving historical interpretations of the French Revolution two centuries after its inception. Edited by Colin R. Lucas, the volume compiles contributions from eight prominent scholars, including Francois Furet and Norman Hampson, to re-examine the event's intellectual, political, religious, and social dimensions. By synthesizing diverse academic perspectives, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the historiographical shifts that occurred by the late 1980s.

Historians frequently cite this collection as a significant snapshot of late-20th-century scholarship regarding the French Revolution. The text is recognized for its academic rigor and its utility as a reference for understanding the diverse analytical frameworks applied to revolutionary history.