Edmund Burke

The legacy of the French Revolution critiqued by the most important thinkers of the day. Gateway to the French Revolution features voices critical of the French Revolution and its aftershocks. Edmund Burke’s critique of the Revolution is widely known and set into motion the development of political Conservatism. Also decrying the excesses of the Terror is Friedrich Gentz, a lesser-known Austrian diplomat who would become an architect of European peace after Napoleon’s failed ambitions, and Joseph de Maistre, a Savoiard nobleman whose own reflections would form a current of counter-revolutionary reactionary that has continues to have implications in our contemporary world.

Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was an Irishman, born in Dublin, who lived in England from his youth until his death. He was a parliamentarian for twenty-nine years, from 1765 to 1794. This was a time of alarms and revolutions: the American Revolution and the French Revolution. Burke was a political empiricist: he wanted to see, to feel, to investigate for himself, to see what was already being done in each specific set of circumstances. It was necessary to have a sympathetic, thorough familiarity with matters before suggesting any gradual amendments to particular arrangements. He wanted to maintain all that had been attained and then to augment it rather than destroy it in the hope, always forlorn, of a totally new system." Burke's writings are as relevant today as they were in the 18th century. The incursion of the state into other spheres of activity has been unrelenting. Understanding - and endeavouring to apply - Burke's thought to contemporary public policy issues is critical today. The value of this collection is that it goes to the heart of Burke's thought, while sparing the reader what is often viewed as flowery language of the 18th century. Many MPs know little of their political philosophy beyond superficial statements such as "I support freedom of speech". Gary Furnell has provided a useful resource in collecting together the most valuable thoughts and writings of Edmund Burke in this volume. It deserves a wide readership." - Hon. Kevin Andrews.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Selections from the Speeches and Writings of Edmund Burke, a classical book, has been considered essential throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.