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Voltaire sets up his paper tiger then, with characteristic cynicism, proceeds with his pornographic mockery. He dishes up sarcasm and criticism for every institution he considers, but naturally provides no positive alternatives. If you somehow like the failed rantings of an over-esteemed, conceited 18th century "philosopher" then you'll line up with everyone else to robotically sing his praises. I, like others, had to read his tripe for college, but I refused to laud the man. He is a bigmouthed loser who gets away with it just because he's brilliant. Voltaire's message is empty; he gave us nothing, excepting the guillotine. If the book had been written in 2010 no one would even publish it. Voltaire is intellectual cancer.
Maybe only the intellectual types will laugh at this, or the ones who know a little bit about philosophy, but I thought this book was very funny. It is one of only a few (hitchiker's guide is another) that made me laugh out loud. If you can, try and get the illustrated version. Voltaire is one of the original satirists who wrote in the vernacular, so you might just get this book because of its historical merit. But don't be expecting Erasmus or something when you read it. It's not intense thinking, it's actually a fairly entertaining and rather silly hero-romance type story that keeps making fun of the idea of optimism (it makes me wonder if Voltaire was a pessimist). Get it if you know a little about philosophy.
Brilliant book by irreverent profoundly insightful Voltaire on the human condition and the power of the rich ,the powerful, the church the govt to exploit and dominate the balance of society. Candide’s initial native outlook of optimism is replaced by realism based on experience Great condition
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This book is superb!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Thank you
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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