Montaigne [Paperback]

Hugo Friedrich (Author), Philippe Desan (Editor), Dawn Eng (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 16, 1991

Friedrich considers the Montaigne of the Essays on of the first "moralists" in the French sense of the term, recording with anthropological fervor and in fresh, informal language the full spectrum of human thought and commerce as he saw it. Philippe Desan, who introduces this fine translation, commends Friedrich's holistic interpretation of Montaigne's unstructured creation, so often reduced by critics to its smallest fragments. Friedrich, says Desan, evokes "an epoch, distilled from accounts given by the best witness of the Renaissance."

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Michel de Montaigne's Essays , which explore widely diverse topics, were begun in 1572 when Montaigne was 38. To Friedrich, Montaigne is a descriptive anthropologist of Renaissance humanity rather than a defender of moral values. Friedrich interprets Montaigne's depiction of debased humanity, our animal helplessness; then demonstrates how Montaigne affirmed our humanity by describing the traits that make us admirable; and lastly discusses Montaigne's attempt to understand humankind by our own self-analysis. Friedrich stresses Montaigne's consent, obedience, and resignation toward life, recommending obedience to nature rather than Christian repentance in death. Though first published in Germany in 1949, Friedrich's is still one of the most comprehensive studies of the Essays . Essential for all academic libraries.
- Bob Ivey, Memphis State Univ., Tenn.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Originally published in 1949 in German, Hugo Friedrichs masterful study of Montaigne and his era has stood the test of time and indeed is considered by many scholars to be the best single book ever written on the 16th- century French essayist. -- Choice --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 433 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (July 16, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520072537
• ISBN-13: 978-0520072534
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,147,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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