Introducing the Enlightenment: A Graphic Guide

Introducing Graphic Guides

by Lloyd Spencer, Andrzej Krauze (Illustrator)

Introducing the Enlightenment is the essential guide to the giants of the Enlightenment—Adam Smith, Samuel Johnson, Immanuel Kant, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. This book provides a clear and accessible introduction to the leading thinkers of the age, the men and women who believed that rational endeavour could reveal the secrets of the universe.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, History, Graphic Novels, Comics

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Anisha Inkspill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an eye-opener, I’d heard of Enlightenment, and I thought I kind of had a vague understanding of it being but reading this book I hadn’t. Having come across this Graphic Guide series it seemed like a good place for me to start. This was not as easy as I thought it would be, at times for me it was intense reading and many facts to digest. I was surprised as the writing is broken up with images on most pages, sometimes comical, sometimes informative, but somehow this book manged to pack in lots of info. When I finished, I felt I had a better grounding on this topic including how many philosophers were involved and how they contributed. Sure, I've heard of: Francis Bacon, Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, Davide Hume, Denis Diderot and Voltaire, but just as names in passing. It was also good to discover how the encyclopaedia got started, and I like it for making other similar reads seem less daunting to me.

A couple of my favourite quotes from text:
Kindle edition, location: 419

Francis Bacon: “I advocated a great reform of knowledge based on direct observation, rejecting the blind worship of authorities in favour of the immediate world of sense experience.”

Kindle edition, location: 489

The Encyclopédie explains what a philosopher is for.

One who, trampling on prejudice, tradition, universal consent, authority – in a word, all that enslaves most minds – dares to think for himself, to go back and search for the clearest general principles, to admit nothing except on the testimony of his experience and his reason.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these tiny "Introducing" books. Great way to revisit the basic grounds of a topic, and there are always fun ink and line illustrations that give me inspiration. This now sits next to my other copy on Romanticism. :)

[Castles · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too much quoting and jumping from topics and major figures, but still, a good little introduction that gives a general taste of the enlightenment.

[Fatih Aslan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Düşüncenize katılmıyorum, ama bunu ifade etme hakkınızı hayatım pahasına savunacağım."

[سـالومي · Rating 5 out of 5]

العمل يعتبر كمقدمة لعصر التنوير و ليس كتاب مفصل عن تلك المرحلة لكنه ذكر نبذة بسيطة عن كل جانب و كل شخص اسهم في حدوث تلك الثورة العقلية.

[Dunya Al-bouzidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"التنوير هو خروج الإنسان من قصوره الذي اقترفه في حق نفسه، وهذا القصور هو عجزه عن استخدام عقله إلّا بتوجيه من إنسان آخر."

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتيب رائع جداً كمقدمة لعصر الأنوار الأوروبي. تعلمت من خلاله الكثير عن عصر كان سببا رئيسيا لما أوروبا و أميركا عليه الآن. ممتعةهي القراءة عن مركز التنوير الأوروبي باريس الممثلة بـ فولتير الأديب الرائع و المتحمس للحرية، مونتسيكو و فلسفته السياسية الحديثة و التي أثرت على تشكيل الدستور الأميركي، الرومانسي الحالم جان جاك روسو و مقته للمدنية. أيضا تأثير نيوتن العظيم (هذا المعجزة حقيقة سبق زمانه) و لو أن الكتاب لا يتحدث إلا بشكل بسيط عنه لأنه ينتمي أكثر لعصر ما قبل الأنوار (القرن السابع عشر). يلمس الكتاب قليلا على فلسفة العبقري عمانويل كانط، و الاسكتلندي التجريبي العتيد ديفيد هيوم و رفيقه الاقتصادي آدم سميث. كما يغطي التطورات التي شهدها القرن الثامن عشر من خلال منظورات و جوانب مختلفة.

[Books&coffee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ganz nett, ein Sachcomic ist es nun aber wirklich nicht, eher ein stark illustriertes Sachbuch. Wirklich schade ist, dass der Inhalt der Sprechblasen teils doch sehr holprig ist: "Ich bin.../ich mach..../ich habe...." die schönen Worte, die die liebevoll gezeichneten Personen von sich gegeben haben, sind meistens etwas zu lang unter den eigentlichen Bild zu finden. Schade auch, dass dieses Buch eine (philosophische) Personenübersicht ist, ein paar mehr Literaten hätten nicht geschadet. Werde mir zwar trotzdem mal ein oder zwei der naturwissenschaftlichen Ausgaben anschauen, finde diese hier aber doch recht enttäuschend - ein Bild pro Seite macht noch keinen Comic.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief illustrated guide offers a history of the Age of Enlightenment with a particular focus on the changing philosophical landscape and its opposition. It does dip into the literature and arts of the time, but most intensely with respect to philosophical novels. It also discusses a burgeoning scientific scene, but mostly with respect to Isaac Newton and his influence. The Enlightenment was an age in which religion’s hold on the populace was declining and tolerance of other sects was increasing, and at the same time there was increasing liberalization, rationality, and openness to new ideas. Therefore, much of the focus is on philosophy of religion and political philosophy, and Locke, Bacon, Rousseau, Diderot, and Voltaire are the most extensively discussed personalities. (Particularly Rousseau and Voltaire as their contrasting views offered insight to the breadth of views among Enlightenment philosophers.)

I felt this book did a fine job of delivering an overview of the era and the new ideas that informed it. It drew heavily on quintessential quotes of major figures of the day (particularly the very quotable Voltaire.) It’s a fine place to begin one’s examination of the topic and includes a “Further Reading” section as a means to direct those who would like deeper insight into the subject.

[Clyde Macalister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally and subjectively, I feel an only barely repressible compulsion to award a full five stars to this work. Even as one who has read a great deal on the subject and am thus no novice on it, reading introductory works to any learned subject always rejuvenates what I already know, and in terms of the books style of coverage and its entertainment value, no follies can be highlighted.

Unfortunately, I must deduct a star for covering Descartes only minimally and for lacking discussion of the Enlightenment's historical precedents. Someone with no prior knowledge of the subject might depart from this book with the mistaken impression that the movement prevailed entirely in the eighteenth century when, in fact, its fermentation and early development transpired in the seventeenth.

Still a great introduction.

[Owen M. McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Worthwhile Short Introduction to the Enlightenment

I gave this book a four star based upon its quality as a short introduction. It covers the major philosophes of this period with their outstanding philosophical positions.

The Enlightenment not only covered philosophy, but also considered science, art, literature, and much more. It may be the broadest movement from a historical and sociological perspective. It not only covers individuals, but also movements within the time frame such as salons, Freemasonry, and the like.

Spencer provided a good annotated list of books for further reading. This is worth a read whether you are new to the topic, or you want a quick review.

[John Moorman · Rating 2 out of 5]

All the information you are looking for is in this book, but presented in such a manner as to make one waste as much time piecing it together as you save by reading a 'concise' guide.

The graphics are distracting and contribute to a very disjointed feel. The narrative flows from text to illustration, sometimes in the middle of a sentence, which makes it extremely difficult to follow.

On top of this, the author moves from topic to topic without much rhyme or reason, and often will continue a train of thought after ten unrelated pages. I did learn a fair amount, but only after a lot of effort to track the different threads. I will not seek out other books from this series.

[Tom Sykstus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This graphic guide to the Enlightenment tries to make big ideas simple but misses the mark. The pictures work hard while the words stumble. You can see Voltaire but not always grasp what he meant. The book jumps around too much, like a drunk man (read: me) talking about philosophy. The timeline gets lost in the shuffle. They drew good pictures of dead thinkers but couldn't draw clear lines between their ideas. It's not bad to look at but hard to follow at times. Still, you might pick up enough to fake it at a dinner party which is the goal anyways.

[Abdallah Mahmoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

عصر التنوير ليود سبنسر و اندرزيجي كروز ترجمة الدكتور إمام عبدالفتاح إمام
عن المشروع القومي المصري للترجمة في ١٨٥ صفحة مدعمة بالرسوم التوضيحية الرائعه وأول قراءة لي عن عصر التنوير الأوروبي مروراً بفولتير، ديدرو، جان جاك روسو، مونتسكيو، إيمانويل كانط ،آدم سميث، فريدريك الثاني، الثورة الفرنسية ، بنيامين فرانكلين، الدستور الأميركي، بروسيا، النمسا، انجلترا، فرنسا، جون لوك
كتاب مصغر عن فترة القرن الثامن عشر الأوربي

[Joshua Loong · Rating 3 out of 5]

A breezy introduction to the main intellectual currents of the Enlightenment. Moves roughly chronologically which means you bounce around often to different ideas and movements. A bit strange to read in this way, as you never follow an idea through to its conclusion at once. But it might be a more accurate reflection of the intellectual chaos of the day. On top of all that, it contained some fantastic art!

Picked it up alongside a much meatier history of the enlightenment by Peter Gay at the Trinity College Book Sale. Definitely putting that one higher on my TBR after reading this.

[D.L. Morrese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this one as a Kindle freebie, and it's not bad, really. It's a kind of classic comic book version of some of the big names of the Enlightenment...complete with illustrations. Don't expect to be overly enlightened about the Enlightenment, but it does provide you suggestions for further reading, if you are so inclined.

[Eslam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good graphic guide but not well organized after you finish the book you get good ideas about enlightenment but you can't remember any details
Enlightenment started with John Locke and Francis Bacon some from Voltaire and Rousseau ideas some of Adam Smith some of Kant
Little bit distracting and confusing but influential to read more about the enlightenment era

[Nikhil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Perfect Introduction

Having read about the "Age of Enlightenment" in course books, and watched several instructional videos, the 18th century remained a big question mark, when it came to understanding how it actually progressed over the several decades.

This book is a quick answer to that question.

[Reza Majid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voltaire, Diderot and Rousseau ‘for dummies’, basically. Accessible reading that clearly introduces the current that galvanised Europe during the course of the eighteenth century in vibrant, beautifully illustrated way.

[75338 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top recommendations to anyone. Free with Amazon Prime.

This book simply and succinctly describes the very foundation of western liberalism, and the United States of America. Read this or miss out on the very foundations of our civilization.

[Pierre Jacomet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a concise but very informative guide to the Enlightenment. It complements very well other works about the great course's "The enlightement amd the invention of the modern self" by Leo Damrosch. I also appreciate the bibliography that the author recommends as further reading.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just incredibly useless.

[Kirk Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the best illustrations in the series.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives an overview of the people and theories of the 18th century ‘enlightenment’ period.

Some bits of this book were interesting, but it lacked any real depth.

Overall rating 2.5

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from the Graphic Guide series. Provides an excellent review of the Enlightenment including the major philosophical and economic schools of that heady time.

[Peter Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent detailed summary.
The "Graphic Guide" series has don't it again.
Puts much into perspective.
Now I MUST read about Romanticism and Rousseau.
Read this book.

[Maria Shiekh Orabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

تشجع واعرف! فلتكن لديك الشجاعة لاستخدام عقلك

[Henri · Rating 3 out of 5]

启蒙运动，三联书店译本。

[Damien A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightenment

Very broad fairly detailed overview pf the age of enlightenment. Some overgeneralizations, but on general a pretty good read for any age

[蓝 幻]

很好的通识读本，对启蒙运动的各要素有一个很清晰的梳理和提示