The Essays: A Selection (Penguin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Pleasurable read
Review: Montaigne was neither master of Science or Art, nor was he accomplished in Religeon or Politics in such a way as to be renowned through the ages. Though hardly a commoner by class, and well educated, he was essentially Joe Blow 16th century, writing not for Academic applause or controversy, but because it gave him pleasure and release (his works were, however, well received by many all over Europe). He was a philosopher as Schopenhauer defined it: examining the world around him as he saw it and defining it in relation to himself and how he acts within it, not preaching unattainable fancies that he does not live himself. Unwittingly (perhaps) Existential, this book shows that human nature is not what changes throughout the centuries - Montaignes observations of the world not being as alien as one would think 400 years ago plus would be. This book is an insight to the mind and world of a man in the renaissance, not a renaissance man. Well worth the read.