Essays by Montaigne: The Philosophy Classic

Essais (Essays), the large collection of short essays by Michel de Montaigne was published in 1580. The essays are a reflection of Montaigne's philosophy, his interests and learning. They describe humans, particularly Montaigne himself, and he expressed his thoughts freely through his essays.

His essays explore subjects as diverse as war-horses and cannibals, poetry and politics, sex and religion, love and friendship, ecstasy, and experience. Montaigne is associated with establishing the essay as a recognized genre in literature, and was the first person to use the word 'essay' to describe his writings.

Part of the bestselling Capstone Classics series, This high-quality, hardcover volume is a must-have for readers interested in the writings of Michel de Montaigne.

Michel de Montaigne was a sixteenth century French philosopher and a key figure of the French Renaissance. His initial career was as a politician and statesman, and he had connections to the French monarchy. Upon inheriting his father's country estate he settled down to a life of reading, writing, and introspection. In 1580 he published his extensive Essais, whose uniquely personal perspective on subjects, including himself, established the modern form of the essay.

Philippe Desan is the Howard L. Willett Professor Emeritus of History of Culture at the University of Chicago. He specializes in the history of ideas in the Renaissance and is a leading Montaigne scholar. His biography, Montaigne. A Life, was published in 2018.

Tom Butler-Bowdon is series editor of the Capstone Classics series and has written introductions for Plato's Republic, Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, Machiavelli's The Prince, and Marx' & Engels' The Communist Manifesto. A graduate of the London School of Economics, he is also the author of 50 Philosophy Classics, 50 Politics Classics, and 50 Psychology Classics

www.butler-bowdon.com