Description

Book Synopsis

''A brilliant work of intellectual interpretation by our foremost historian of Enlightenment ideas. Whatmore rescues the Enlightenment from today''s circular debates and places it where it belongs: in the pulsing, chaotic era of its genesis and demise'' Christopher de Bellaigue

The Enlightenment is popularly seen as the Age of Reason, a key moment in human history when ideals such as freedom, progress, natural rights and constitutional government prevailed. In this radical re-evaluation, historian Richard Whatmore shows why, for many at its centre, the Enlightenment was a profound failure.

By the early eighteenth century, hope was widespread that Enlightenment could be coupled with toleration, the progress of commerce and the end of the fanatic wars of religion that were destroying Europe. At its heart was the battle to establish and maintain liberty in free states and the hope that absolute monarchies such as France and free states like Britain might even subs

The End of Enlightenment

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    A Paperback by Richard Whatmore

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      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
      Published 8 July 2025
      ISBN-13 9780141997704
      978-0141997704
      ISBN-10 0141997702
      Also in:
      Non Fiction History European history: medieval period, middle ages

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      ''A brilliant work of intellectual interpretation by our foremost historian of Enlightenment ideas. Whatmore rescues the Enlightenment from today''s circular debates and places it where it belongs: in the pulsing, chaotic era of its genesis and demise'' Christopher de Bellaigue

      The Enlightenment is popularly seen as the Age of Reason, a key moment in human history when ideals such as freedom, progress, natural rights and constitutional government prevailed. In this radical re-evaluation, historian Richard Whatmore shows why, for many at its centre, the Enlightenment was a profound failure.

      By the early eighteenth century, hope was widespread that Enlightenment could be coupled with toleration, the progress of commerce and the end of the fanatic wars of religion that were destroying Europe. At its heart was the battle to establish and maintain liberty in free states and the hope that absolute monarchies such as France and free states like Britain might even subs

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