Book excerpt: Gary Kates' The French Revolutionis a collection of key papers at the forefront of current research on the French Revolution. Kates contributes a clear and thorough introduction which contextualizes the historiographical controversies surrounding the Revolution, weaving them into a sophisticated narrative. Taken together, the pieces challenge orthodox assumptions concerning the origins, development, and long-term historical consequences of the Revolution, including the inevitability of the Terror, subsequent issues for nineteenth century French history, the intellectual connection, the late role of Napoleon, and the feminist dimension. Contributors include: Albert Soboul, Colin Lucas, Keith Michael Baker, William H. Sewell, jr., Colin Jones, Timothy Tackett, John Markoff, Lyn Hunt and Olwen Hufton.