Over the past few years, my reading has taken me in for a closer look at the French Revolution. All I really knew about it was "the storming of the Bastille" and it had always been presented to me as this glorious triumph of liberty and freedom over the old regime.
The book that originally "reopened the file" for me was France and the Cult of the Sacred Heart by Raymond Jonas. It is a fantastic read for sure and is a great piece of historical writing.
The book that I just finished recently, that blew me out of the water is a book by William Bush titled To Quell the Terror which says in its subtitle - The True Story of the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne.
The story of these Carmelite Sisters was made famous in Francis Poulenc's opera, Dialogues of the Carmelites with its libretto by Georges Bernanos. However, the author wanted to write a piece of historical research, and all I can say is WOW! It is one of my top 10 books of all time now.
You know how the story is going to end from the outset, but I garauntee that you will be riveted until the last word. Most importantly this story dispells a lot of the misconceptions about the Catholic Church and the French Revolution that most liberal arts undergrads graduate college with. I dare you to read it!
Now, my friend, you should read anything about the "Reign of Terror" for the English Catholics. We all know of St. Thomas More, but when you read of the heroics of those priests and the folks that hid them for Holy Mass...WOW!
ReplyDeleteHope to see you soon....Fr. F.