Voltaire's Politics: The Poet as Realist

by Peter Gay

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300040954
• ISBN13: 9780300040951
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 417 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Bringing Voltaire in context

"Voltaire's politics", by Peter Gay, provides a comprehensive context to all there is to Voltaire. Throughout the book, the main focus is upon Voltaire's sociopolitical and intellectual development, and how he translated these ideas into his poems, plays, letters, philosophical and political writings, not to mention how these ideas were subsequently brought into practice and converted into action, since Voltaire was very much a social activist avant-la-lettre. Thus the book is not so much a biography (for such one should consult Theodore Besterman's "Voltaire"), but is invaluable as to thoroughy understand what Voltaire stood for, why he acted as he did, and how he came to develop his ideas as he did. Though mr. Gay may admire Voltaire, the book is by no means prejudiced, but rather open-minded and fair in its judgements. The fact that this book was intended as a scholarly contribution to the debate on Voltaire has not made it any more difficult to read. Again, as with prof. Gay's brilliant "The Enlightenment, an interpretation", it is very entertaining and a joy to read. This book is in particular suitable to those studying any of the social sciences, history or philosophy.