Paris under the Commune The Seventy-Three Days of the Second Siege; with Numerous Illustrations, Sketches Taken on the Spot, and Portraits (from the Original Photographs)

"Paris under the Commune" by John Leighton is a historical record detailing the 73-day Paris Commune in the spring of 1871. The book, written in the late 19th century, captures the revolutionary chaos and emotional intensity of the time, reflecting the struggles Parisians faced regarding governance, social change, and war. The story begins by introducing the sense of unease in Paris as the French struggled against Prussian forces, leading to the rise of the Commune. Leighton revisits the key moment of March 18, 1871, when the National Guards seized control, leading to unrest and the execution of Generals Clément Thomas and Lecomte. Through descriptive language, Leighton portrays the conflicts between the revolutionaries and the existing government, showing a city torn between the citizens' hopes and the harsh realities of war and political conflict.