Book Review: Voltaire the Universal Man

Voltaire the Universal Man by Derek Parker delves into the very chaotic but interesting life of one of the world’s greatest playwrights and thinkers. Voltaire was born in 1694 whose real name was François-Marie Arouet. He wrote thousands of books, letters, and theatricals in his attempt to help people to think beyond the obvious. He railed against short logic, intolerance, dogmatic blindness, war, and at times established royalty.  In many ways he adopted American values and encouraged others in his country to follow the same beliefs.

Taught by Jesuits his family pushed him to become an attorney. However, he rebelled and instead became a writer and poet. Because of the way he thought about the world, and his criticism of some Paris practices, he spent numerous times imprisoned. An eleven month stay in the Bastille caused estrangement from his family but also freed him to pursue his own goals. 

His personality and fame can be seen in one of his conflicts. When a Paris noble of called Chevalier de Rohan mocked him by asking, “Monsieur de Voltaire, Monsieur Arouet, exactly what is your name?” The clever verbal jouster Voltaire retorted, “I myself do not bear a great name, but I know how to honor the one I carry”. At this insult the Chevalier raised his cane to thrash him and Voltaire unsheathed his sword. A few days later Voltaire was beaten by some ruffians paid for by the Chevalier. Instead of spending time in prison for asking for a duel (between a commoner and nobleman) he opted to instead go into exile in England. 

Voltaire was known as a champion of civil rights and a literary artist unsurpassed by anyone. His pressure forced people in France to think about the nature of government and helped solidify the Renaissance. He moved around a lot, his fame increased, and so did his wealth. Yet he had detractors that thought he wasn’t original enough in his works. Despite his criticism it was him who opened people’s minds to the possibilities. 

You may be interested in some of his notable quotes:

“I have only ever made one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.’ And God granted it.”

“It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.”

“There are truths which are not for all men, nor for all times.”

“Such then is the human condition, that to wish greatness for one’s country is to wish harm to one’s neighbors.”

“The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.”

“Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too”

Parker, D. (2005). Voltaire the Universal Man. Sutton Publishing Limited;UK

Book Review: The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo is a story of luck, adventure and triumph.  He is a near perfect young man who is the captain of a ship and a successful trader. He is soon to be married to a beautiful young girl Mercedes whom he offers all the worlds love.  The jealousy of three of Dante’s friends leads to a plot against him. The ship’s treasurer Danglars is jealous of Dante’s young success, Fernand Mondego wants his fiancé, and his neighbor Caderousse is enraged by Dante’s luck. Each sucked in by their own weakness.

The three plot to arrest him for treason for carrying a message to Napoleon Bonaparte sympathizers as a promise to the deceased previous captain.  At that time in history, Napoleon sympathizers in Paris were enemies of the state. Even though Dante had no political leanings he was still arrested for his alleged crimes on his wedding day and thrown into prison. He was not guilty of anything but fulfilling a promise.

The deputy public prosecutor Villefort understood that Dante was set up through his friends and planned on setting him free. Villefort also sees the innocence of Dante and takes pity on him. Through Dante’s honesty, he mentions the man whom the letter was to be delivered. It  ends up being Villenfort’s father. Instead of setting him free, the deputy prosecutor changes his mind and sends him to jail for the rest of his life for fear that such information would be revealed. 

While in prison, he meets a priest by the name of Abbé Faria who was imprisoned for his political beliefs. Faria teaches Dante about life, philosophy, history, science and all the wonders of the world. More importantly, he tells Dante where he stashed some treasure. During the preparation for escape, Faria dies and Dante makes a dashing exit and finds the gold on the Island of Monte Cristo. 

With his newfound gold and success, he attempts to reclaim his honor. He realizes that Caderousse is poor while Fernand and Danglers are rich. He rewards Carderousse for information with a diamond and saves his old boss, who tried to help him, from financial ruin. Putting on a disguise, he dons himself the Count of Monte Cristo and travels to Paris where he saves the son of Fernand and Mercedes from bandits. This offered him the opportunity to enter high society.

No one in the Parisian society recognized the old Dante as they now knew him as the Count of Monte Cristo. He put in play a series of revenges that used his enemy’s weaknesses against them. One went insane, one penniless and the other committed suicide. Yet Dante’s is not a cruel man and decides to help those who helped him in the past. He also tried to help the son of the ship owner who attempted to set him free. 

The story is intriguing in that it carries within it all of the various human needs, emotions and follies. As human beings, we can be jealous, petty, argumentative, and even brutal. Yet situations do not stay the same forever. There are times when things change and those who persecuted us allow us to rise on new fortunes.  If there is a lesson in the book, it is not to be cruel, act wisely, and be patient for life works on its own accord. Above all…have good intentions.

Book Review- Grand Strategies: Literature, Statecraft and World Order

Grand Strategies by Charles Hill offers some interesting insights into the building of nations and their relations to each other. The understanding of current states requires delving into the historical past. Without this knowledge one suffers from an improper perspective due to a lack of international context. Through the development of this philosophical perspective readers better understand how thoughts led to the development of a nation and modern forms of existence. 

The work uses philosophy and history to create an interesting read that will maintain your interest from cover to cover. Filled with philosophical ramblings, poetry and historical tidbits the book appears to be well researched and thought out. The state of diplomacy between nations is rift with drama and intrigue ranging from the odd to the downright ludicrous. 

In many ways the fear of government and its very purpose is the protection of people. This protection might come from foreign nations but might also come in the form of protecting ourselves from each other. Government is a product of need and thought that impacts the very manners in which we live. Such government is not perfect but is on a plane of development from one historical point to another. 

The book discusses how our chaotic tribal past created a world order from the Treaty of Westphalia. It is through this world order that nations and states have developed, existed, and inter-relate to each other. Threats to this order come in varying forms ranging from historical conflicts to new one’s experienced in modern religious conflict. 

The book discusses classical orders as seen in stories of Homer, Aeschylus, and Virgil. It moves into concepts of creative disorder from the likes of Hugo and Shakespeare. It discusses the sources of world order, the Enlightenment, America, and modern conflict. The poem The Ocean to Cynthia by Ralegh helps to understand American existence from the love of the old to the novelty of the new:

To seeke new worlds, for golde, for prayse, for glory,

To try to desire, to try love severed farr,

When I was gonn she sent her memory

More strange than were ten thousand shipps of war

To call mee back, to leve great honor thought,

To leve my friends, my fortune, my attempte

To leve the purpose I so longe had sought

And hold bothe cares, and comforts in contempt.

To Hill literature gives a key to understanding statecraft. By covering historical literature he is also giving readers a keen understanding of the world and its development. Such literature provides the backdrop to why we think the way we do and the reasons we exist in the world in which we do. It is a deep and insightful book that is written at a graduate level. For those who need resources there are plenty available.

Hill, C. (2010). Grand Strategies: Literature, Statecraft, and World Order. London: Yale University Press. 

ISBN: 978-0-300-17133-4

Pages:  368

Price: $15

Blog Ranking: 4.3

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