Interesting book. The first half is the story about the Enlightenment and is well written. Philosophers and activists transforming society into free speech, lack of censorship, freedom of religion, separation of church and state, rule by democratic republic instead of kings, ending slavery, women's rights and many other causes. Many met in secret Masonic Lodges to avoid prison and possibly death for their views.
The second part has essays from some of the great philosophers of that era.
John Locke talks about the best way to teach children is through niceness, rather than physical punishment (It seems obvious now, but was something new back then), and other practical advice.
Treatise of the Three Imposters was written with a fake name and published in secret. Penalties would have been harsh for anyone involved. It describes Moses, Jesus and Muhammad as regular people tricking people into believing for their own benefits.
Voltaire has some great essays. My favorite being that Francis Bacon was the greatest philosopher, even above Issac Newton, because he discovered the scientific method, which made all modern science possible.
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu had some fun essays about her travels. Freer German areas were nice and prosperous while the ones with greedy kings were poor. While in Vienna, It was common for wives and husbands to have lovers on the side. If you invite the man out to the theater, don't be surprised if he brings his wife and mistress there together. In Turkey, many wives would meet their lovers for a secret fling at the Jewish shop, and no one would notice, because they always wore those Arabian robes which covered their face and body.
Denis Diderot published an progressively slanted encyclopedia about the knowledge in the world. He also did a fantasy piece about a priest visiting a paradise land of Tahiti where his conservative ways were insulted.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau had essays which influences the forefathers of America.
Immanuel Kant talked tried to slow the enlightenment down when he realized it may lead to bloody revolutions
Moses Mendelssohn talked about freedom of religion.
An interesting book, but the only reason it got four stars is because the essays were difficult to read because the language is so old. A history buff would love it, but it's not good for light reading. Just have a dictionary handy.
ISBN-13: 978-0312237011
ISBN-10: 0312237014
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