Any good books about the French Revolution written by people who lived through it?

by Camp452

Hi. I’m looking for books about French Revolutions, written during it, or shortly after, and written by people who actually lived through it. Those can be memoirs, political essays, or any other genre. Thanks in advance

Takeoffdpantsnjaket

While we wait for someone more versed in the French side of the conflict to make a recommendation, I can suggest [The Diary and Letters of Gouverneur Morris, vol. 1] (https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/morris-the-diary-and-letters-of-gouverneur-morris-vol-1) who lived through most of it as our fourth Minister to France. While he gained that title in June of 1792, he actually landed in France 27 Jan 1789, a Tuesday, after 40 days travelling (Jefferson left Sept 1789 and William Short served as Minister between the two). The Bastille would be overrun about six months later and at one point in the chaos his wooden leg got him out of a pinch;

Owing to this accident [of losing a leg], when he was presented at Court at Paris he asked to be allowed to appear without a sword, and, though a serious departure from court etiquette, the favor was granted. During one of the years of his ministry in Paris, when carriages were abolished as being aristocratic, and the chances were against the escape of any person discovered driving in one, Morris, who seems always to have defied the mob though by no means averse to saving his life, drove through the streets followed by hoots and cries of, “An aristocrat,” and, quietly opening the door of his carriage, thrust out his wooden leg, and said: “An aristocrat! yes, truly, who lost his leg in the cause of American liberty;” whereat followed great applause from the mob.

I've read some more outlandish versions of the tale, but that's the story from this book. It's generally considered the best American account of the events of the French Revolution as they happened.

E to fix link

EtherCakes

I'm assuming that English is most people's preferred language here in order to narrow down a list of works that have been translated. I'll focus on the period 1795-onwards which I'm more familiar with.

The big monolithic French titans that are Napoleon and Chateaubriand both have memoirs (if you're charitable, as I'll explain). Since these are the most easily available, let's get them out of the way.