Muriel O. Davis provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the political history of France from 1789 to 1910 in this meticulously researched book. Davis skillfully navigates through the key events and figures that shaped France's political landscape during this tumultuous period, offering readers a deep understanding of the country's political evolution.

The author's writing is engaging and accessible, making complex political concepts and events easy to comprehend. Davis also incorporates a wealth of primary sources and scholarly research to support her arguments, adding credibility and depth to her analysis.

One of the strengths of the book is its focus on the individuals who played pivotal roles in France's political history, from revolutionary leaders like Robespierre to influential monarchs like Louis-Philippe. By highlighting these key figures, Davis brings a human element to the political developments of the time, allowing readers to connect more deeply with the material.

Overall, Political History of France, 1789-1910 is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of France's political past. Davis's expertise and thorough research make this book an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and history enthusiasts alike.

Book Description:
This little book opens on the eve of the French Revolution. The government is crippled by financial mismanagement, ruled by a King who, in the author's words, is "devoid of both ability and energy," and resented by a tax-oppressed peasantry and a rising middle class. The Revolution escapes the control of its instigators and France is plunged into the Terror and international war. Enter Napoleon, a man with "an enormous capacity for work," who can "get to the root of a matter and master technicalities with great swiftness," but whose "vulgar desire for recognition...and his inability to feel the sufferings of others" ultimately leads to his country's downfall. Davis then presents the careers of Napoleon's successors, including his nephew, Louis Napoleon who, scarcely better than an inept imposter, plunges France in 1870 into the disastrous Franco-Prussian War. In the wake of French defeat, the anti-semitic mass hysteria of the Dreyfus case polarizes French society for over a decade. The book, which was published in 1916, ends in 1910 with France, menaced by Germany, "on the eve of the greatest war the world has ever seen." - Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.