This is a short biography. Its subject, FranƧois Marie Arouet de Voltaire (1694-1778), would not have objectedāāhe was careful to point out that āthe surest way of being a bore is to tell everything.ā What Wayne Andrewsās
Voltaire may lack in laundry lists is made up in wit, learning, and an elegance of style eminently appropriate for an appreciation of a man who was never so ruthless as when eliminating the last trace of dust from his own writing. Indeed, Voltaire was the most successful writer of the eighteenth century. It matters little that his plays are today a lost cause, as is his poetryāāthe author ofĀ
CandideĀ and theĀ
Age of Louis XIVĀ will always have his audience. His irreverence guarantees his immortality. While stressing Voltaireās eternal campaign against Christianity and his monumental efforts to effect justice in an autocratic era, Andrews maintains that his primary loyalty was always to himself. The fervent anti-Christian had his firm friends in the Church. The social philosopher courted Catherine the Great with near servility. But, in Victor Hugoās words: āHis smile put an end to violence, his sarcasm put an end to despotism, his irony put an end to infallibility, his perseverance put an end to stubbornness, and the truth he proclaimed put an end to ignorance.ā
This book title, Voltaire - 9780811208024, ISBN: 9780811208024, by Wayne Andrews, published by New Directions (June 17, 1981) is available in paperback. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
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