Montaigne (Pushkin Collection) Paperback – November 10, 2015

To my ex-compatriots, Montaigne is a bit the equivalent of Mark Twain in this country: insightful, unpretentious, clever, quotable ... and not nearly as widely read as their fine reputations might suggest. His Essays require 1,000 to 1,500 pages, depending on the editions, and I doubt that I have read more than a third, even though I keep opening his book at random, always a rewarding experience that requires some effort. Stefan Zweig was extremely popular in Europe between the two World Wars and through my youth, even though few of my educated American friends have heard of him. He was a gifted and fussy writer, a remnant of those turn of the XXth Century writers who worshipped “belles lettres”, sometimes at the expense of depth of thought. I like both of them and I loved this elegantly printed little book. The only shadow was the reminder of Zweig’s suicide during the dark year of 1942. I wish he could have witnessed 1945.

I am glad I had the fortune to select this book. I now know more of this man, Montaigne, and had a pleasant experience learning it. Far from being dry and detail oriented, the author took special care to describe the qualities of the man that made him an important figure in history.

You cannot put it down. Beautiful from start to finish. Loved the story and the flow along with the history.

In the tradition of Stefan Zweig, this is a gem of a synopsis of Michel de Montaigne's life and lessons for life. If anybody is interested in learning more about Montaigne, I would first recommend this book, then maybe Sarah Bakewell's book (How to Live, 2010), to accompany a copy of the Essays. Even though this is an English translation of Zweig's original German, it is beautifully rendered and an inspiring read. I would recommend it to anybody with any interest in Montaigne and / or Zweig himself.

I ordered it more for Stephan Zweig than Montaigne. Zweig's presentation gave me a better understanding of Montaigne. Why he wrote in the way he did. Why he focused on certain topics. Also, re-awakened me to the woman that helped edit his Essays: Marie Le Jars de Gournay.

Thank you to Pushkin Collection for re-publishing Stefan Zweig's biography of Montaigne. Zweig's personal, somewhat casual, yet highly informed style of writing for biography totally engaged me in Montaigne's life and also led me to a renewed wish to read the Essays sooner rather than later. In this current age of vile and petty discourse, I enjoyed the call to searching for "knowing the self." Very little of this is in evidence in the public forum today leaving Montaigne's wish for solitude so understandable. Also his wish for travel in order to know as many people and customs different from himself and those he already knew as possible.Those who have read other of Sweig's biographies will not be surprised at the lack of citations for quotes in the text. I noted the lack of footnotes in Marie Antoinette: The Portrait of an Average Woman. While at first this may have irked me in this latter book, I grew not to mind it at all. And in Montaigne it really did not bother me as I knew that the source was Montaigne unless another source was mentioned, such as a letter from the king. I am only mentioning this as it is a Zweig quirk, not a publishing error.I highly recommend this as a brief and engaging introduction to the life of Montaigne and a glimpse into the Essays. What better service can a biography provide than to whet the appetite for the works of its subject.A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Hats off to the translator Will Stone. His Introduction of Zweig's essay on Montaigne was thought provoking and rich with understanding of Zweig himself. This little book was a joy to read, not only because of its content, but the physical book brought me back to a time when books were a treasure to hold. So beautifully made, from the paper, to the font, to the exquisite paper of the cover and the bookmark flaps. And then of course the etching by Dali on the cover. A piece of art inside and out!

I read this work at the suggestion of Ryan Holiday. I had heard of Montaigne, and read some of his Essays, however, I did not know much about his life. This is an excellent biography of Michel de Montaigne. I recommend this work for everyone...

Zweig introduces Montaigne, very affirming. Both continue to be relevant. Pushkin Press make beautiful books, just the right size.

This is a joy to read. It is a very engaging, brief read. No more than a handful of hours did it take me. I do not know whether this book affords the same insights as more modern and scholarly works on Montaigne may. Yet in this book, by the author Stefan Zweig, we receive a personal and heartfelt biography from a writer who truly adores his “friend” across the ages.

Stefan Zweig is a master at getting the important information and presenting it in a flowing and easily understandablestyle. I recommend this short and informative biography to anyone interested in Montaigne,s ideas and his time. It can also make you nostalgic for influential writers who spoke up on behalf of moderation and common sense which seems to be disappearing in this generation!

Montaigne lived his entire life, during a period of religious wars and political upheaval. This violent time period had followed, all the celebrated achievements of the Renaissance. The book`s author Stefan Zwieg finds himself in a similar situation. Throughout most of the 19th Century, peace and prosperity rained supreme. Global economic growth and scientific advancements had been unprecedented. The optimistic start of the 20th Century quickly descended into global war and genocide. Zwieg wonders how he can cope, with this period of human insanity. Zwieg finds himself drawn to Montaigne`s essays. Montaigne is able to maintain his own humanity, despite France`s raging religious war. Zwieg finds inspiration from Montaigne`s example. This biography reviews Montaigne`s life. Zwieg points Montaigne`s life lessons and how they applied to the 20th Century. Well, here we are at the start of the 21st Century. We also seem to find ourselves, descending into a period of inhuman violence. Terrorist attacks and mass civilian shootings have become the norm. These horrible acts are getting worse and more frequent. This current time period also followed, an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity. How is a person to make sense of it all? This is the question Zwieg attempts to answer. This is an enjoyable and quick read. I am a huge fan of Montaigne`s work. Therefore, there is a personal bias. Stefan Zwieg, in my opinion, is also a great writer.

A beautiful edition of an excellent book about a great man. Absolutely recommended. Thanks, Pushkin Collection. Do not miss it.