The French Revolution

How can a modern reader engage this text?

I opened Carlyle's The French Revolution last evening after I finally finished up Vonnegut, and exclaimed "Hey what?" Archived it, and then later changed my mind and reloaded it, but I was wondering if there is anyone out there, perhaps kiki?, who can advise me how to approach this text. He opens with an epigram in mid-sentence and litters the first page with names of people I don't know, and yes, I can Google everything and put as many footnotes in the text as I like, but a body can't read a book that way. Does he at any time clarify what he's talking about? Should I foot note and Google every Tom Dick and Harry?

Posted By Jozanny at Fri 12 Mar 2010, 3:26 AM in The French Revolution || 2 Replies