Fatal Purity

There is a dazzling light of intellect as much as a thunderous darkness of reality in her fine, humanising portrait * The Times, Ten Best Books of 2006 *
Scurr has an important tale to tell, and she tells it judiciously – Lucy Hughes-Hallett * Sunday Times *
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 – Munro Price * Sunday Telegraph *
This splendidly balanced account of an unbalanced mind proves that there are monsters of virtue as well as monsters of vice – Graham Robb * Daily Telegraph *
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 – Hilary Mantel * London Review of Books *
Engaging and insightful biography… Scurr writes with sensitivity and clarity about this paradoxical individual * Scotland on Sunday *
Ruth Scurr takes on one of the most enigmatic of historical figures in this thoroughly researched, well-written biography – Robin Buss * Independent on Sunday *
Scurr brilliantly evokes the sheer speed and intensity of change after the fall of the Bastille – Rebecca Abrams * Guardian *
Fascinating, chilling meditation on good intentions twisted into evil deeds * Independent on Sunday *
This is a biography that will stimulate all those interested in the subject of state terror – Antonia Fraser * The Times *

Born in 1971, Ruth Scurr is an historian of Political Thought, specialising in eighteenth-century France. She is an affiliated lecturer at the University of Cambridge, and is a regular reviewer for The Times and the Times Literary Supplement. This is her first book.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.