There is a dazzling light of intellect as much as a thunderous darkness of reality in her fine, humanising portrait

Scurr has an important tale to tell, and she tells it judiciously

Ruth Scurr's aim, in this well written first book, is to provide an accessible, up - to date biography that draws on all this work, and represents Robespierre as a human being rather than as a monster of legend. She succeeds impressively

This splendidly balanced account of an unbalanced mind proves that there are monsters of virtue as well as monsters of vice

It is judicious, balanced, and admirably clear at every point....It is quite the calmest and least abusive history of the Revolution you will ever read

Engaging and insightful biography... Scurr writes with sensitivity and clarity about this paradoxical individual

Ruth Scurr takes on one of the most enigmatic of historical figures in this thoroughly researched, well-written biography

Scurr brilliantly evokes the sheer speed and intensity of change after the fall of the Bastille

Fascinating, chilling meditation on good intentions twisted into evil deeds

This is a biography that will stimulate all those interested in the subject of state terror

Fascinating