Synopses & Reviews
Defining the Enlightenment as the "long eighteenth century," the
Encyclopedia focuses on the entire range of philosophic and social changes engendered by the Enlightenment. It extends the conventional geographical boundaries of the Enlightenment, covering not only France, England, Scotland, the Low Countries, Italy, English-speaking North America, the German states, and Hapsburg Austria but also Iberian, Ibero-American, Jewish, Russian, and Eastern European cultures. Nor does the
Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment limit itself to major centers like Paris in France and Edinburgh in Scotland, but shares the rich lode of recent scholarship on "secondary" and "provincial" centers such as Berlin and Geneva; Philadelphia and Milan.
The Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment brings a similar spirit of inclusion to the new theoretical and methodological approaches that have flowered in the humanities during the past two decades. Including feminist and various post-modernist reassessments alongside more traditional perspectives, the four volumes offer the broadest possible range of current knowledge.
Accessibility combined with scholarly rigor make the Encyclopedia the first choice for researching any aspect of the Enlightenment.
Review
"This new work offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date coverage available....Impressive range and currency."--Library Journal [Starred Review]
"The definitive reference source for this enormously important epoch."--American Reference Book Annual
"The most comprehensive resource available about the era that transformed Western Civilization."--Historical Media Review
"Extremely well timed."--Boston Globe
"An excellent choice for students."--School Library Journal
"A valuable guide to the period."--History Magazine
"One of the most ambitious and important reference works to be published in recent years."--Reason
"Highly Recommended."--Choice
Review
"This new work offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date coverage available....Impressive range and currency."--Library Journal [Starred Review]
"The definitive reference source for this enormously important epoch."--American Reference Book Annual
"The most comprehensive resource available about the era that transformed Western Civilization."--Historical Media Review
"Extremely well timed."--Boston Globe
"An excellent choice for students."--School Library Journal
"A valuable guide to the period."--History Magazine
"One of the most ambitious and important reference works to be published in recent years."--Reason
"Highly Recommended."--Choice
Table of Contents
I. Definitions and Interpretations of the Enlightenment A. Principal Articles B. Supporting Articles II. The Political Geography of the Enlightenment A. The International Seetting and its Significant Historical Events B. Nations, States, and Politics C. Cities, Towns, Centers, and Institutions of Intellectual Activity D. Demography E. Linguistic Change F. European contact and Colonialism III. The Agencies and Spaces of the Enlightenment A. The World of Print B. Media of Diffusion C. Popularizers, Appropriators, and Critics of the Enlightenment D. Education (including Ecclesiastical Education) IV. Enlightenment, Thought, and 18th Century Culture A. The Essential Debates and Concepts of the Enlightenment B. Major Schools and Movements of Thought C. Biographies