Description
Paperback cover has some minor wear along the sides, scuffs and bending. One corner has a large crease. Spine has some reading creases and discoloration from yellow to white. Pages are clean and the binding is secure.
This well-preserved copy of Jean Le Rond D’Alembert’s “Preliminary Discourse to the Encyclopedia of Diderot” offers a fascinating glimpse into the Enlightenment era and the ambitious project that aimed to compile and disseminate the sum of human knowledge. D’Alembert’s influential introduction, originally published in 1751, lays out the guiding principles and organizational structure of the groundbreaking Encyclopedia, which sought to challenge traditional authority and promote reason, empiricism, and intellectual freedom. As a leading figure of the French Enlightenment, D’Alembert’s eloquent discourse not only provides historical context for the Encyclopedia but also serves as a manifesto for the Age of Reason, advocating for the advancement of science, philosophy, and human progress. This English translation captures the spirit of D’Alembert’s original work, making it accessible to modern readers and collectors interested in exploring the intellectual foundations of the Enlightenment and its enduring impact on Western thought.
