Colette Wilson writes clearly and authoritatively and her original, scholarly and beautifully illustrated book makes a strong contribution to our understanding of the Paris Commune, its aftermath in the early years of the Third Republic and French cultural memory overall. -- .
Focusing on the Paris Commune of 1871, the book examines the enduring impact of this traumatic civil war on French cultural memory. It highlights the significant ignorance surrounding the brutal repression faced by citizens, with estimates of 20,000 to 35,000 deaths occurring in the conflict's final week. Through original scholarship, the work explores the intersection of memory, history, and political activism, shedding light on the ongoing struggle to remember and understand this pivotal event in France's past.