Montaigne: A Very Short IntroductionThe French author Michel de Montaigne is widely regarded as the founder and greatest practitioner of the personal essay. A member of the minor aristocracy, he worked as a judicial investigator, served as mayor of Bordeaux, and sought to bring stability to his war-torn country during the latter half of the sixteenth century. He is best known today, however, as the author of the Essays, a vast collection of meditations on topics ranging from love and sexuality to freedom, learning, doubt, self-scrutiny, and peace of mind. One of the most original books ever to emerge from Europe, Montaigne's masterpiece has been continuously and powerfully influential among writers and philosophers from its first appearance down to the present day. His extraordinary curiosity and discernment, combined with his ability to mix thoughtful judgment with revealing anecdote, make him one of the most readable of all writers. In Montaigne: A Very Short Introduction, William M. Hamlin provides an overview of Montaigne's life, thought, and writing, situating the Essays within the arc of Montaigne's lived experience and focusing on themes of particular interest for contemporary readers. Designed for a broad audience, this introduction will appeal to first-time students of Montaigne as well as to seasoned experts and admirers. Well-informed and lucidly written, Hamlin's book offers an ideal point of entry into the life and work of the world's first and most extraordinary essayist. |
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acknowledge AMERICAN ancient Andrew Apology for Raymond behavior believe Boétie Boétie's Book Three Bordeaux Bordeaux Copy Cambridge Cannibals century chapter Château de Montaigne Christian Christopher claims cruelty cultural custom David death Desan dogmatic Donald doubt edition Education of Children essayist ethical European existence faith father Florio forme maistresse France Françoise freedom French friendship Guyenne habits HISTORY human ignorance instance John John Florio Jonathan judgment knowledge learning LITERATURE living M. A. Screech Marie de Gournay Michael Michel de Montaigne mind Montaigne never Montaigne's Montaigne's Essays natural Nick Middleton nonetheless opinion ourselves Paris Pascal Paul Peter PHILOSOPHY Pierre Eyquem pleasure Plutarch political practice Presumption Providential diversity Pyrrhonian skepticism Pyrrhonism Raymond Sebond readers regarded religious Renaissance Repentance Richard ruling pattern says Montaigne Sextus Empiricus sexual social soul Stephen textual things thought trans Travel Journal truth Tupinamba Verses of Virgil Voluntary Servitude William William Walwyn women Writing oneself