A discussion with Philippe Moisan, a professor of French at Grinnell College, about the literary movement of French Romanticism — everything from what made it distinct to which books you should read to get started.

Like what you hear? Support the show on Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

France swings hard to the right, as the government passes new repressive laws and the nation celebrates the birth of a Bourbon 'miracle child.' Pushed back on their heels, the French left turns to conspiracy.

Like what you hear? Support the show on Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A second part of my interview with historian Philip Mansel discusses Franco-British relations during the first half of the 19th Century, as a century-plus of military rivalry turns into something much more complex. Brought to you by the show's supporters on Patreon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Restoration politics becomes a three-way battle for supremacy between liberals, Ultra-royalists, and "Ministerials" — until a shocking crime changes everything. 

Like what you hear? Support the show on Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A look behind the scenes of The Siècle, including how I research, record and edit episodes, and a closer look at a few of the sources I use to research the podcast. Brought to you by the show's supporters on Patreon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An introduction to Restoration France's illustrious — and not-so-illustrious — royal family circa 1816, including a little too much genealogy and a surprising amount of absurdly petty snubs.

Like what you hear? Support the show on Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An interview with Philip Mansel, author of several books about 19th Century France, including a biography of Louis XVIII. We discuss the life and personality of France's restored Bourbon king.

Like what you hear? Support the show on Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An epic episode covering the little-known story of the time an Indonesian volcano caused worldwide harvest failures and massive social unrest, including in a France still recovering from the chaos and devastation of the Napoleonic Wars. 

Visit thesiecle.com for bonus information, pictures and charts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The silent majority of Restoration France were the peasants, the small farmers scraping out a living across its varied countryside. Learn who these peasants were, how they worked, and how they survived. 

Visit thesiecle.com for bonus information, pictures and charts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The early 19th Century writer and statesman Chateaubriand was a keen (if biased) observer of many of the events chronicled in The Siècle — and a top-notch writer, to boot! In this bonus episode, I present an excerpt from Chateaubriand's memoirs, including his thoughts on Napoleon, Louis XVIII, censorship and France's constitutional monarchy. 

As always, visit thesiecle.com for full transcript, annotations and illustrations. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices