About book How To Live: A Life Of Montaigne In One Question And Twenty Attempts At An Answer (2010)
I really liked this book.The book's central conceit--twenty answers to the question "how does one live?"--is a tad contrived, but doesn't detract from Bakewell's central message. This message is simply that one should love Montaigne, because Montaigne loved life. Not a detached, philosophical agape, but an earthy appreciation for everyday foibles. It's clear that Montaigne loved life's little absurdities--from the awkwardness of the body and its ailments to the strange relationship between conqueror and victim.Bakewell writes with a light touch. You walk away wanting to read Montaigne, which is perhaps the highest compliment. Primo, this is before annoying else a self-help book; make it THE self-help book. It's title is "How to Live" and there are 20 very good replies in there.Secondo, it's a compelling and highly original biography of a fascinating man, and it includes biographical sketches of a supporting female character who was a 16th century feminist and a successful independent intellectual professional; and of a man who wrote the fundamental libertarian text—in the 16th century, in his twenties. Fascinating stuff.Tertio, it covers a period of the history of France that had always interested me: I loved "La Reine Margot" (the movie with Isabelle Adjani), that I now will appreciate in the next viewing with a better context.Wonderful and important." ALL I KNOW IS THAT I KNOW NOTHING, AND I’M NOT EVEN SURE ABOUT THAT."
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Was recommended by goodreads. Well researched, well written biography/philosophy.
—Jeni
A must read primer to Montaigne and a fantastic book in it's own right.
—kalai
Words cannot describe how much I am in love with Montaigne.
—inmaa
