Superb biography! Damrosch's work is truly outstanding. He has the remarkable ability to make you feel and think as if you were Rousseau himself. It's an immersive experience that allows you to step into the shoes of this influential philosopher.

Not only does Damrosch bring Rousseau to life, but he also provides a wealth of information on Rousseau's works, thoughts, and ideas. He presents this information in a comprehensive and engaging manner, using comparisons and critiques to offer a deeper understanding.

By examining Rousseau's works through different lenses and comparing them to other philosophical traditions, Damrosch helps us to see the unique contributions and limitations of Rousseau's ideas. This critical analysis enriches our understanding of Rousseau and his place in the history of philosophy. Overall, Damrosch's biography is a must-read for anyone interested in Rousseau or the history of ideas.

I am a huge fan of Leo and his biographies.

Leo's life story is truly fascinating. It's like a thrilling adventure that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

His biographies offer a deep insight into his personality, his struggles, and his achievements.

I have read several of them, and each one has left me with a newfound appreciation for this remarkable individual.

In fact, I would rate his biographies a solid 9 out of 10.

The only reason it's not a perfect 10 is because there are always a few details that could be explored further.

But overall, I highly recommend Leo's biographies to anyone who is interested in learning about an extraordinary life.

They are not only entertaining but also inspiring, and they have the power to change the way you look at the world.

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Our team is dedicated to understanding Alicia's situation thoroughly. We take the time to listen to her concerns and desires, ensuring that we can provide the best possible solutions.

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This statement is truly captivating for anyone with a desire to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Rousseau. It has ignited within me a newfound curiosity, compelling me to explore more of his literary works.

Although Rousseau has not previously been among my favored authors, this particular piece has piqued my interest to such an extent that I am now eager to delve into his extensive body of literature.

It is remarkable how a single encounter with an idea or a text can have such a profound impact on our perception and motivation.

I look forward to uncovering the hidden gems and profound insights that lie within Rousseau's writings, and I anticipate that this exploration will not only enhance my knowledge but also broaden my perspective on various aspects of life and society.

Who knows what other surprises and revelations await me as I embark on this literary journey? Only time will tell, but I am excited to find out.

Güzel ve başarılı ve öğretici.

This simple phrase holds a world of meaning. Beauty is not just skin deep; it can be found in the way we live our lives, in our actions and in our relationships. Success is not only measured by material wealth or achievements, but also by the sense of fulfillment and satisfaction we feel within. And being öğretici, or educational, means that we are constantly learning and growing, sharing our knowledge and experiences with others.

A güzel life is one that is filled with love, laughter, and purpose. It is a life where we strive to be the best version of ourselves, where we face challenges with courage and determination, and where we find joy in the simplest of things. A başarılı life is one where we set goals and work hard to achieve them, where we learn from our mistakes and use them as stepping stones to success. And an öğretici life is one where we are open to new ideas and perspectives, where we seek out opportunities to learn and grow, and where we inspire others to do the same.

In conclusion, güzel, başarılı, and öğretici are three qualities that can enrich our lives in countless ways. By striving to be beautiful, successful, and educational, we can create a life that is truly fulfilling and meaningful.

Damrosch has penned an extremely insightful and brilliant book that delves deep into the life of Rousseau.

He doesn't shy away from presenting the harsh realities of Rousseau's difficult life. Instead, he approaches it with utmost honesty and respect.

Damrosch acknowledges both Rousseau's weaknesses and his remarkable strengths.

Personally, I had very limited knowledge about Rousseau prior to reading this book.

However, I was truly astonished by some of his actions.

Moreover, the jealousies and vendettas that prevailed among the famous people in Rousseau's circle are simply mind-boggling.

This book is truly eye-opening, to say the least.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in learning about Rousseau or wants to gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships and events that shaped his life.

It is a must-read for all those who appreciate well-researched and engaging biographies.

AN EXCELLENT BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONTROVERSIAL ENLIGHTENMENT WRITER

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a Swiss philosopher of the Enlightenment and also a composer, lived from 1712 to 1778. Leo Damrosch, a professor of literature at Harvard and the author of works like 'Tocqueville's Discovery of America,' has written an engaging biography of Rousseau.

In the introduction to this 2005 book, Damrosch states that in a series of remarkably original books, Rousseau developed a political theory that had a profound impact on the American Founding Fathers and the French revolutionaries. He also advanced a concept of education that remains challenging and inspiring today. Damrosch's intention is to integrate the story of Rousseau's extraordinary writings with the story of his tumultuous life and suggest why his ideas had such an electrifying effect.

Damrosch records several incidents from Rousseau's youth that were crucial in his psychic development. One of the most famous is the spanking he received from Mlle. Lambercier. Surprisingly, Rousseau enjoyed it, and when Mlle. Lambercier realized the punishment wasn't serving its purpose, she gave it up. Damrosch also notes that Rousseau was more squeamish about sex in general than most of his contemporaries. He was fixated on spanking and even exposed his rear end to strangers on one occasion.

Rousseau's actions regarding his children are also controversial. He abandoned five of the children he fathered with Thérèse Levasseur to foundling homes. This seems staggering today, considering who Rousseau was and his own history of abandonment as a child. However, the practice was not uncommon at the time.

Damrosch also recounts the relationship between Rousseau and Voltaire. Voltaire never believed Rousseau was a significant writer and despised him as a minor disciple who had become a nuisance. Despite this, Rousseau was exceptionally fortunate in his friends, but he could never really believe it.

Overall, this biography provides an excellent and very insightful look at the man behind the ideas and the books. It will be of considerable value to anyone interested in Rousseau's life.

Leo Damrosch shows a clear sympathy towards Rousseau.

As a biographer, it's almost a given to have some degree of sympathy for the subject, unless there's a hidden agenda.

Damrosch portrays Rousseau in a sympathetic light, yet doesn't shy away from showing his flaws.

Many of these flaws can be traced back to his difficult childhood. With a mother who died shortly after his birth and a father who had issues with his in-laws and was declining socially and financially, Rousseau's early development in Geneva was challenging.

Further traumas led to a lifelong fetish for punishment and a strong aversion to human sexuality.

Despite being poor and from a disrupted family, Rousseau managed to fulfill his drive for greatness in learning and practical philosophical thinking.

Damrosch also shows how Rousseau stood up against Diderot, Voltaire, and others, often at great personal sacrifice.

The author of "The Social Contract" had a significant influence on the Founding Fathers. This book makes it clear why he should be better known to more Americans today.

Some reviewers think Damrosch's sympathy gets in the way of a neutral portrait. For example, there's the question of whether Rousseau actually sent five children by his Paris mistress to a foundling home.

Damrosch points out the contradictions between this and Rousseau later becoming a child-rearing expert.

He also doesn't overlook Rousseau's other failings, such as not giving his juvenile benefactor, Mme de Warens, her promised share of his inheritance.

Augustine may have invented the genre of biography, but Rousseau invented the modern genre with its psychologizing and self-analysis.

Rousseau has been treated with caution or even hostility by some conservative elements of the American intelligentsia.

However, he deserves to be read and understood on his own terms, and Damrosch helps us do that.

Other reviewers are indeed correct in指出 that this enjoyable biography is somewhat lacking in philosophy. However, there are numerous aspects within it that are worthy of exploration. This is a "life" of Jean-Jacques, someone I haven't delved into for forty years. It truly offers good entertainment.

The biography presents a vivid account of Jean-Jacques' life, filled with interesting anecdotes and events. While it may not be overly profound in its philosophical discussions, it still manages to capture the essence of his character and the times in which he lived. The author has done a great job of bringing this historical figure to life, making it an engaging read for both those familiar with Jean-Jacques and those new to his story.

Despite its lightness on philosophy, this biography has its own charm. It allows readers to gain a better understanding of Jean-Jacques' personal journey and the impact he had on society. It serves as a reminder that even in a work that may not be deeply philosophical, there can still be value and enjoyment to be found. So, if you're looking for a fun and engaging read about the life of Jean-Jacques, this biography is definitely worth checking out.

There is an abundance of information within this 494-page biography, making it an excellent starting point for delving into Rousseau's life.

My intention is to either create a short piece or a more in-depth feature on a particular period of his existence.

If it were possible, my dream would be to produce a trilogy chronicling the man's life.

Rousseau was truly an intriguing character. He both welcomed fame and despised it simultaneously.

Moreover, he often perceived plots against him even when there were none.

This biography is a great read that offers valuable insights into the complex and fascinating life of Rousseau.

It provides a wealth of details that can inspire further exploration and understanding of his ideas and experiences.

Whether one is interested in his philosophical works, personal relationships, or the historical context in which he lived, this biography has something to offer.

It serves as a springboard for further research and reflection on the life and times of this remarkable figure.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in Rousseau or the history of ideas.

A well-researched and highly readable biography of Rousseau has recently come to my attention. I must admit that I didn't know too much about him before. However, after delving into this biography, it has truly piqued my interest and made me eager to explore some of his work. Rousseau was a figure of great significance, exerting a major influence on Western culture over the past 200 years. It is fascinating to uncover the various forces that shaped him. What kind of experiences, ideas, and events contributed to his development? Additionally, it is equally interesting to see how his contemporaries viewed him. Were they in awe of his intellect and ideas, or did they have different opinions and critiques? This biography provides valuable insights into these aspects, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of Rousseau and his place in history.

This wasn’t the most captivating biography I’ve perused, yet it was most definitely well worth the time invested.

A profound knowledge of Rousseau is of utmost importance for comprehending the origin of numerous aspects of the modern world. This includes the Romantic conceptions of imagination, personality, and nature. It also encompasses psychological theories that stress the significance of childhood experience, anthropological studies of man in his natural state, and rational critiques of the philosophy of the Enlightenment.

Prior to this year, the solitary thing I could recall about him was that he was a subject of that hackneyed poem by Blake, “Mock on, Mock on, Voltaire, Rousseau.” I don’t have an in-depth knowledge of Blake’s biography, but I can only surmise that Blake knew something of Voltaire and grouped Rousseau together with him as that other renowned French philosophe.

From the biography, and the major works I’ve read thus far (the two Discourses and The Social Contract), it becomes evident that Rousseau has little in common with Voltaire, especially when it comes to satire. Moreover, they despised each other. Rousseau distanced himself from the philosophes right from the outset of his career by criticizing the Enlightenment (Discourse on the Arts and the Sciences) and was one of the few to advocate belief in a Christian God. If Blake actually did read Rousseau, he didn’t do so with great comprehension.

There was another observation that I couldn’t refrain from making. A cursory glance at my book list on Goodreads would reveal that I’m a devotee of Wendell Berry, and it appears that Rousseau has had a profound influence on him. Although I’ve never come across a direct reference to Rousseau in any of Berry’s writings, the philosophical influence is palpable and comprehensive.