Description
Book SynopsisThis edition of
Leviathan is intended to provide the reader with a modestly abridged text that is straightforward and accessible, while preserving Hobbes' main lines of argument and of thought. It is meant for those who wish to focus primarily on the philosophical aspects of the work, apart from its stylish but often daunting early modern prose.
The editors have updated language, style, punctuation, and grammar throughout. Very long, complicated sentences have been broken into two or more sentences for enhanced readability. In some instances, terms within a sentence are rearranged for enhanced clarity. Occasionally, an equivalent contemporary word is substituted for an archaic one. Ellipses indicate omissions of more than one sentence. Care has been taken to maintain the strength, nuance, and flavor of the work, especially of Hobbes' most difficult arguments.
In addition, the volume offers a general Introduction and concise headnotes to each chapter. Annotation is geared to the student or novice reader. A glossary of key terms is also included, as well as an index.
Trade Review"
Essential Leviathan is a translation of Hobbes' work, due to the fact that certain words and grammar have been altered to make the text more approachable. This 'translation' is very good: it makes the text highly accessible, certainly for the first time reader, but achieves this without jeopardizing original spirit or meaning. . . . Stanlick and Collette make up for a short introduction with a wealth of supporting footnotes, which give much needed information and clarification. This method has immediate benefits: it allows for the student to learn the background and context of
Leviathan as they read through the text. . . . The footnotes on the intellectual context of
Leviathan are particularly well done: they are both extensive and informative, and effectively enlighten the reader to the philosophical issues Hobbes was addressing. . . . [E]xcellent chapter introductions . . . effectively make the purpose of each individual chapter clearer, and link the arguments of different chapters together. . . .
Educators . . . will certainly welcome Stanlick and Colette's modernized edition; it is a work which successfully makes Hobbes' arguments clear, approachable, and most importantly, relevant to the Twenty-First Century reader, whilst simultaneously maintaining the spirit and beauty of Hobbes' original text."
—Ruairidh J Brown, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, in
Hobbes Studies
