Describing his collection of Essays as 'a book consubstantial with its author',
Montaigne identified both the power and the charm of a work which introduces us
to one of the most attractive figures in European literature. A humanist, a scep
tic, an acute observer of himself and others, he reflects the great themes of ex
istence through the prism of his own self-consciousness. Apparent in every line
he wrote, his virtues of tolerance, moderation and disinterested inquiry amount
to an undeclared manifesto for the Enlightenment, whose prophet he is.
This c
omplete edition of his works supplements the Essays with travel diaries and lett
ers, thereby completing the portrait of a true Renaissance man.
