Read Online Montaigne Les Essais French Edition edition by Michel de Montaigne Politics Social Sciences eBooks

Product details File Size 2696 KB Print Length 985 pages Publisher Editions la Bibliothèque Digitale (May 7, 2012) Publication Date May 7, 2012 Sold by  Digital Services LLC Language French ASIN B0081LMNKA

Montaigne Les Essais French Edition edition by Michel de Montaigne Politics Social Sciences eBooks Reviews

• This is an original version in early 16th Century French, which needs some getting used to. The spelling of certain words and verb tenses is at times quite different from modern French, buf it becomes understandable if you pay attention to phonetics. The reader's efforts will be amply rewarded, as Les Essais provides a glimpse into what was a very important century in European and particularly French culture. Scientific and literary works of the time were generally written in Latin. Michel de Montaigne departed from this custom chosing instead colloquial French. Thus he apologises to the reader for "wriiting in a language which may not be around very long, perhaps fifty years or so". Luckily he was mistaken on this point, but the essence of his essais is as current as it ever was. If you have a reasonable command of contemporary French, do not be discouraged to tackle this version. It takes a bit of patience and effort, but you will be richly rewarded.
• It's surely very presumptuous of me to rate Montaigne, but has asked to share my experience with this edition and I feel bound to say, urbi et orbi, that it has been splendid. I downloaded the file to my Galaxy S III phone and I read a bit of Montaigne every time I ride the Metro (subway) in Santiago de Chile. (I manage to get a seat because I live at the end of Line 1; on the return journey I sometimes get one because I am over 80). Since the book is more like a diary than what one would call in English —after Francis Bacon— a collection of essays, it lends itself admirably to be read with interruptions.
• Not a fast read and one that may require some persistence, but well worthwhile. I still have not completed the volume, but already I have learned a great deal not only about the essays of Montaigne but also about other philosophers that influenced him or were influenced by him as well as the historical period he was writing in. I had a sketchy knowledge of the Protestant / Catholic divide of those times, but this gave me a much better sense of the leading figures involved and how that conflict influenced the society as a whole. (It helped me to get my three "Henri's" straight Henri III, Henri de Navarre and Henri, Duc de Guise.) I particularly appreciate her analysis of how Montaigne's writings were viewed in different historical periods and why. Definitely recommended for anyone with an interest in a pragmatic philosophical approach to life's experiences and in the historical period of the late sixteenth century.
• Montaigne is well known thinker and writer and no comments are needed about his work. The present edition is a wellcome opportunity to read and learn the old french. Really delicious.
• Wonderful. Feels so personal.
• $3 is way too much when you can get this for free at http//www.poesies.net/micheldemontaigne.html One Star! Zero if I could!