Originally published in 1989. This is the first history of modern France to explore the long-term origins of the libertarian revolt. It traces the moral history from the eighteenth century to the 1960s, examining the questions of marriage and divorce, homosexuality, and sexual morality. It includes detailed chapters on the Marquis de Sade, Charles Fourier, André Gide, and Daniel Guérin in order to illustrate the changing legislation, popular thought and public opinion. The result is an enlightening and provocative account which will be of interest to students of modern French history, moral thought and the history of sexual attitudes.

Antony Copley was Professor of Modern European and Indian History at the University of Kent.

Preface Part 1: Towards Libertarianism 1. Prologue 2. The Marquis De Sade. Apologist for Autonomy 3. Charles Fourier: Modernist or Neo-traditionalist? Part 2: Beyond Guilt? 4. Victorianism in France: Duplicity and Furtiveness 5. An Incomplete Liberation: New Legislation on Divorce Under the Third Republic 6. From Criminality to Psychopathology: Medical Discourse on Homosexuality During the Third Republic 7. Case Studies in Homosexuality: 1 André Gide: The Continuing Hold of Guilt 8. Case Studies in Homosexuality: 2 Daniel Guérin: Towards Self-acceptance 9. Post 1940: Towards the Sexual Revolution 10. Epilogue. Notes. Thematic Bibliography