Reflections on the Revolution in France

By: Edmund Burke

Narrated by: Bernard Mayes

This famous treatise began as a letter to a young French friend who asked Edmund Burke’s opinion on whether France’s new ruling class would succeed in creating a better order. Doubtless the friend expected a favorable reply, but Burke was suspicious of certain tendencies of the Revolution from the start and perceived that the revolutionaries were actually subverting the true "social order". As a Christian - he was not a man of the Enlightenment - Burke knew religion to be man’s greatest good and established order to be a fundamental pillar of civilization.

Blending history with principle and graceful imagery with profound practical maxims, this book is one of the most influential political treatises in the history of the world. Said Russell Kirk, "The Reflections must be read by anyone who wishes to understand the great controversies of modern politics."

Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797) became a member of Parliament in 1765. He championed the unpopular cause of Catholic emancipation and a great part of his career became dedicated to the problem of India. The French Revolution prompted one of his best-known works, Reflections on the Revolution in France.

Public Domain (P)1990 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Burke’s views are as pertinent today as they were 200 years ago. His comments and criticisms of the French Revolution can be applied to 20th-century revolutions. It is interesting that his reflections are echoed by so many revisionist French Revolution historians in the past several years." (Professor Jeanne A. Ojala, University of Utah)

Great book - but why no Irish reader???

Seriously guys! Edmund Burke was one of the most famous native Gaelic speaking Irishmen ever. His flamboyant Brogue and his red-headed temper were both notorious. So why would you hire a bored upper class sounding English dude to record this book?

important political science piece

great reader. masterful writing. intellectually stimulating. well worth your time to listen. antidote to current sloppy thinking.

Burke as an advocate for reform

Wonderful reading by Bernard Mays. It is easy to shun Burke as he advocated for a monarchy, inherited aristocracy, and an established church - none of which are cornerstones of American liberty. His understanding of how societies can change and reform without the wrenching pain of violence and the lasting wounds of “fire and blood” is worth absorbing.

I don't speak French

Reflections is one of those classics of political philosophy which two centuries later, is still as relevant as it was when it was written. Of course, if you're considering listening to this, you already know that.

I like a lot of things about this narration; the reader interests a lot of the good humor that would otherwise be lost if you were reading this off of the page. My one big complaint is that none of the passages in Latin or French are translated. I speak neither language so this presents a bit of a problem for me. If the narrator didn't speak French either, I understand, but he could have just skipped those parts and saved us the time. If he doesn't understand French well enough to translate it, I doubt his pronunciation is good enough for people who do speak it to understand him. But that just may be my presumption.

A Sober Conservative and Scathing Reply

As a fan of Thomas Paine, this communication to him as he resided in France and was acting there as an important player in their Revolution just as he had been in the American Revolution, I find much in Edmund Burke’s reply. Especially in hindsight as to what became of the revolution. Burke points out intellectual weaknesses, naivite’, immorality and hypocrisy in the endeavor. Good listen.