Davidson tells the whole, rich story of Voltaire's life (1694-1778): his early imprisonment in the Bastille; exile in England and his mastery of English; an obsession with money, of which he made a huge amount; a scandalous love life; his infatuation with Frederick the Great; a long exile on the borders of Switzerland; his passion for watch-making; his human rights campaigns and his triumphant return to Paris to die there as celebrity extraordinaire. Throughout all of this Voltaire's life was always informed by two things: a belief in the essential value of toleration in the face of fanaticism; and in the right of every man to think and say what he liked. It is rare to have such a vivid portrait of a great man.
- ISBN10 1605982873
- ISBN13 9781605982878
- Publish Date 12 March 2012 (first published 15 April 2010)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Pegasus Books
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 560
- Language English