Understanding Enlightenment thinkers through bizarre anecdotes.
"The Great Cat Massacre and Other Essays" could be a good read for a history enthusiast looking to gain a deeper understanding of Enlightenment thinkers through unconventional stories and thought-provoking questions. Darnton's essays are not just informative; they are fascinating and almost absurd. Through these anecdotes, he provides insight into the minds of 18th century French printers, writers, and townspeople. Readers may find themselves laughing, arguing, and thinking deeply about the Enlightenment period.
ISBN: 9780394729275
Authors:
Robert Darnton
Publisher: Vintage
Date of Publication: 1985-02-12
Format: Paperback
Goodreads rating: 3.89
(rated by 2605 readers)
Description
When the apprentices of a Paris printing shop in the 1730's held a series of mock trials and then hanged all the cats they could lay their hands on, why did they find it so hilariously funny that they choked with laughter when they reenacted it in pantomime some twenty times? Why in the 18th century version of "Little Red Riding Hood" did the wolf eat the child at the end? What did the anonymous townsman of Montpelier have in mind when he kept an exhaustive dossier on all the activities of his native city? These are some of the provocative questions Robert Darnton attempts to answer in this dazzling series of essays that probe the ways of thought in what we like to call "The Age of Enlightenment."
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Good Condition
We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Well Read Condition
This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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Understanding Enlightenment thinkers through bizarre anecdotes.
"The Great Cat Massacre and Other Essays" could be a good read for a history enthusiast looking to gain a deeper understanding of Enlightenment thinkers through unconventional stories and thought-provoking questions. Darnton's essays are not just informative; they are fascinating and almost absurd. Through these anecdotes, he provides insight into the minds of 18th century French printers, writers, and townspeople. Readers may find themselves laughing, arguing, and thinking deeply about the Enlightenment period.
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