Other editions of book Leviathan: Or the Matter, Forme and Power of a Commonwealth Ecclasiasticall and Civil

Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan is one of the most important philosophical texts in the English language, and one of the most influential works of political philosophy ever written. This is the first critical edition based on a full study of the manuscript and printing history. It is also the first edition to place the English text side by side with Hobbes's later Latin version of it, complete with a set of notes in which the many passages that differ in the Latin are translated into English. So, for the first time, readers of Leviathan will be able to see clearly every stage of the development of the text. Both texts are fully annotated with explanatory notes. The editor's Introduction, which takes up the whole of the first volume, gives a path-breaking account of the work's context, sources, and textual history. This definitive edition will set the study of Hobbes's masterwork on a new basis.

How is this book unique?Unabridged (100% Original content)Formatted for e-readerFont adjustments & biography includedIllustratedLeviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil—commonly referred to as Leviathan—is a book written by Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and published in 1651 (revised Latin edition 1668).[1][3] Its name derives from the biblical Leviathan. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory.[4] Leviathan ranks as a classic western work on statecraft comparable to Machiavelli's The Prince. Written during the English Civil War (1642–1651), Leviathan argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. Hobbes wrote that civil war and the brute situation of a state of nature ("the war of all against all") could only be avoided by strong undivided government.

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

England in the middle of the seventeenth century was a quagmire of political posturing from a variety of power centers. Royalists, anti-royalists, the clergy, and sundry other groups were jockeying for the most advantageous positions. With the outbreak of Civil War, England's social and political future looked anything but certain.Amid this turbulence, Thomas Hobbes was to compose one of the most powerful pieces of political philosophy ever penned - his now famous work titled Leviathan.Here he sought to unravel political complexities in order to provide clear and unequivocal answers to the confusion that engulfed England. He sets forth his view of the "passions" that grip human reason - passions that if left unchecked would spell the obliteration of humankind in a war of all against all. To prevent total destruction, reason must prevail, and those in the pre-political state of nature must collectively acknowledge the creation of a civil authority as the only solution if peace is to be achieved and self-preservation assured.

Leviathan by Thomas HobbesHow is this book unique?Tablet and e-reader formattedOriginal & Unabridged EditionAuthor Biography includedIllustrated versionLeviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil—commonly referred to as Leviathan—is a book written by Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and published in 1651 (revised Latin edition 1668). Its name derives from the biblical Leviathan. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory.[4] Leviathan ranks as a classic western work on statecraft comparable to Machiavelli's The Prince. Written during the English Civil War (1642–1651), Leviathan argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. Hobbes wrote that civil war and the brute situation of a state of nature ("the war of all against all") could only be avoided by strong undivided government.

Written during a moment in English history when the political and social structures as well as methods of science were in flux and open to interpretation, Leviathan played an essential role in the development of the modern world. Thomas Hobbes, an outspoken royalist, fled to France during the English Civil War. There he wrote this polemic, in which he calls for a powerful sovereign — a "Leviathan" — to act as an enforcer of peace and justice. Hobbes's articulation of this long-contemplated philosophy of political and natural science was finally published in 1651, two years after the overthrow and execution of King Charles I. It met with a firestorm of controversy that included charges of treason and sedition, but survived to rank among the greatest works in the history of ideas. This edition of Hobbes's landmark work is based on the original text, offering both flavorful authenticity and the utmost clarity of expression.

Leviatán o La materia, forma y poder de una república eclesiástica y civil, comúnmente llamado Leviatán (en inglés Leviathan), es el libro más conocido del filósofo político inglés Thomas Hobbes, publicado en 1651. El título del libro hace referencia al monstruo bíblico Leviatán, que posee un poder descomunal ("Nadie hay tan osado que lo despierte. De su grandeza tienen temor los fuertes. No hay sobre la Tierra quien se le parezca, animal hecho exento de temor. Menosprecia toda cosa alta; es rey sobre todos los soberbios). En este libro, Hobbes establece su doctrina de derecho moderno como la base de las sociedades y de los gobiernos legítimos, puede entenderse como una justificación filosófica de la eliminación del Estado absoluto, a la vez que como la proposición teórica del contrato social y autoritarismo estatal.

About David Johnston’s edition Carefully and faithfully edited by “one of our most astute commentators on Hobbes’s political theory” (Jeremy Waldron), the Norton Library edition of Leviathan features the complete text of the work, with spelling and punctuation thoughtfully modernized and archaic terms helpfully annotated throughout. An introduction by Kinch Hoekstra situates the work in its historical and intellectual context to prepare students for their first serious encounter with “the greatest single work of political thought in the English language” (JohnRawls).

About Leviathan by Thomas HobbesHow is this book unique?E-reader & tablet formatted, Font Adjustments100% Original contentUnabridged EditionAuthor Biography InsideIllustrations includedLeviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil—commonly referred to as Leviathan—is a book written by Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and published in 1651 (revised Latin edition 1668). Its name derives from the biblical Leviathan. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory. Leviathan ranks as a classic western work on statecraft comparable to Machiavelli's The Prince. Written during the English Civil War (1642–1651), Leviathan argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. Hobbes wrote that civil war and the brute situation of a state of nature ("the war of all against all") could only be avoided by strong undivided government.

---MADE IN USA---NEW in shrinkwrap, bound in leather with gold stamping on cover/spine, gilded page edges, hubbed spine and ribbon bookmark.---Leviathan was published by Thomas Hobbes in 1651. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the foundational Natural Law texts. Leviathan argues for the existence of a social contract in support of the rule of a powerful sovereign. In his view, a strong government was needed to counter man in his state of nature or as he also put it, "the war of all against all."

How is this book unique?Font adjustments & biography includedUnabridged (100% Original content)Formatted for e-readerIllustratedAbout Leviathan By Thomas HobbesLeviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil—commonly referred to as Leviathan—is a book written by Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and published in 1651 (revised Latin edition 1668).[1][3] Its name derives from the biblical Leviathan. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory.[4] Leviathan ranks as a classic western work on statecraft comparable to Machiavelli's The Prince. Written during the English Civil War (1642–1651), Leviathan argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. Hobbes wrote that civil war and the brute situation of a state of nature ("the war of all against all") could only be avoided by strong undivided government.