emerged from the chaos of the Revolution. The opening of the book sets the stage for this historical exploration, focusing on the events surrounding the coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799, which marked the end of the Directoire and the beginning of the Consulate. Thiers introduces key figures such as Bonaparte and Sieyès, outlining their respective roles in forming a new government amidst public unrest and economic instability. The text touches upon the dire condition of France, characterized by political disarray and military failures, as well as the newly appointed consuls' immediate efforts to establish order and create a sustainable government structure, signaling a shift towards a more authoritative regime. (This is an automatically generated summary.)