Last Letters: Prisons and Prisoners of the French Revolution, 1793-1794 by Olivier Blanc.The book is a collection of final letters written by prisoners to their families just before their execution during the French Revolution.It was originally published in French under the title La dernière lettre and was later translated into English.
The book focuses on the communication prisoners were allowed moments before they were executed by guillotine. There are segments- 50 Final Letters: The core of the volume consists of approximately 150 letters from a wide array of prisoners, ranging from prominent figures like Marie Antoinette to everyday artisans and shopkeepers;Confiscated History: These letters never reached their intended recipients; instead, they were seized by government agents and remained in administrative files for centuries (talk about bureaucracy) ;Prison Life and the Terror.
Blanc includes a detailed introductory section describing the various Parisian prisons and evaluating the political climate of the Reign of Terror. Social & Personal Insights: The correspondences offer a raw look at the authors' personal lives, families, religious beliefs, and political views in the moments preceding their execution.
This is a unique primary source for historians and a poignant narrative of the human experience under extreme political duress, and tragedy.
It was published byFarrar, Straus & Giroux and Andre Deutsch. Paperback, 250 pages, including index. It is in very good condition.