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Voltaire: A Life from Beginning to End
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Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet in Paris, France, was a writer and leading figure of the Enlightenment. His insistence that all authority could and must be questioned was so radical, he ended up in prison several times and was ultimately exiled.
Voltaire’s writings were instrumental in influencing the American and French revolutions. Man as a being with natural rights was a radical concept at the time, but one which the American founding fathers embraced. Voltaire’s anger was specifically directed at the arbitrary powers of the state and the church. The French legal system treated aristocrats differently than ordinary citizens. The Catholic church, too, wielded its dictatorial power. Voltaire incurred the wrath of both kings and bishops with his unrelenting attacks on such abuses of freedom. Unwilling to be silenced, Voltaire continued his demand for individual freedom throughout the span of his entire life. Only after his death was he officially welcomed back to Paris, and Voltaire’s remains now rest in the Parisian Panthéon, the burial place for the country’s national heroes.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
Literary Success and Financial Failure Émilie: The Love of His Life Years in Exile Candide and Morality Voltaire’s Final Year and Death And much more! So if you want a quick and easy to read book on Voltaire, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
Free BONUS Inside!
Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet in Paris, France, was a writer and leading figure of the Enlightenment. His insistence that all authority could and must be questioned was so radical, he ended up in prison several times and was ultimately exiled.
Voltaire’s writings were instrumental in influencing the American and French revolutions. Man as a being with natural rights was a radical concept at the time, but one which the American founding fathers embraced. Voltaire’s anger was specifically directed at the arbitrary powers of the state and the church. The French legal system treated aristocrats differently than ordinary citizens. The Catholic church, too, wielded its dictatorial power. Voltaire incurred the wrath of both kings and bishops with his unrelenting attacks on such abuses of freedom. Unwilling to be silenced, Voltaire continued his demand for individual freedom throughout the span of his entire life. Only after his death was he officially welcomed back to Paris, and Voltaire’s remains now rest in the Parisian Panthéon, the burial place for the country’s national heroes.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
Literary Success and Financial Failure Émilie: The Love of His Life Years in Exile Candide and Morality Voltaire’s Final Year and Death And much more! So if you want a quick and easy to read book on Voltaire, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2019
193 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 3, 2023
Voltaire has been one of the foremost enlightenment thinkers. The ideals outlined by him through his works have been foundational for today's constitutional morality. Although I was aware about some of his works but what interested me is the context in which Voltaire wrote. It's true that every revolutionary is a product of their time but yet it was a engaging read.
In this age where people's wisdom and tolerance are on a decline, works of Voltaire remains a guiding light. Either ways the dictum given by Voltaire is perennially relevant. The dictum which lives on and still widely quoted is “I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.
In this age where people's wisdom and tolerance are on a decline, works of Voltaire remains a guiding light. Either ways the dictum given by Voltaire is perennially relevant. The dictum which lives on and still widely quoted is “I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.
March 19, 2020
"I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it", an often quoted quote of Voltaire says it all about his ideology. Hourly History bring forth the life, time and ideology of this "revolutionary" thinker quite succinctly. Voltaire "insisted that everyone deserved to be treated equally". This was indeed quite revolutionary for the time he lived. He clearly propounded the idea that " morality ....was the result of taking responsible action instead of blindly obeying those in power". The book provides a remarkable narration of a remarkable person.
March 30, 2024
I was vague on Voltaire's life with only a few quotes and a general idea of his philosophical leanings in my mind so I was glad to pick up this Hourly History bio and get a better idea of Voltaire's life, works, and thoughts. Fascinating history as playwright, poet, political activist, and philosopher for the Enlightenment.
July 21, 2021
The role of intellectuals is to see the corrupt at the heart of society and stand furious with the mass and constantly monitor the conditions of ill-effects and actively work on the improvement of living conditions. For books can never teach the use of books. Otherwise, they are no more than armchair academics complacent with their impressive scholastic achievements and high social esteem as elites of society, proudly distanced themselves from the general. But Voltaire wasn't, nor was he a demagogic writer grandstanding with the ire of the have-nots.
Born as Francois-Marie Arouet on November 21, 1694, when the discovery of the New World and religious turmoil swept Europe, Voltaire was destined to become a cavalier of new thoughts, Enlightenment of Thoughts, which the Catholic Church regarded as a dangerous school of ideas to the mass. Yet, Voltaire wasn't hell-bent on destroying the Catholic Church as a freemason but pilloried the corruption of the ecclesiastical members and the duplicities of their teachings and acts in practice. Religion is also a social institution made and governed by people and therefore subject to corruption and dysfunction. Before the French Revolution, the Catholic Church controlled people's ways of thinking and exerted its authority over political and cultural spheres. That was why Voltaire's lifelong resistance against the Catholic Church arose, not from blindly malicious intention to sabotage belief of the religion.
Voltaire was very human with his volatile temper but also with passionate munificence. He was fluent in English and his years of stay in England, the country he regarded as a model country of liberty of thoughts and religions. During his visit, he met John Locke, Jonathan Swift, and Alexander Pope, to whom Voltaire was said to be very rude for reasons clandestine. Methinks that for a person as at once passionate and sensitive as Voltaire, the anecdotal vignette sounds true, but who can blame him for his temper and let it eclipse his wholesale brilliance as an unbridled thinker and writer unafraid of speaking against the social injustice against the unprivileged? Rousseau, a fellow freethinker, abandoned his child at an orphanage and berated the illiterate. Isaac Newton, whom Voltaire respected for his scientific findings and logical mind, mistreated his servants with whacks and beatings. But, on the contrary, Voltaire paid off all the tax debts of his tenants on his properties. Also, he published 'Candide,' which is an allegorical book about the absurdities of the teachings of the Church and a man's search for a God in this world, in 1759 at a meager price accessible to poor readers yearning for a taste of Enlightenment.
The absence of God's presence in the deeds of the clergy and religious people and the presence of injustice in the name of elusive God were the questions Voltaire had in mind, and yet he wasn't blasphemous about the God they believed. On the contrary, Voltaire's belief was ecumenical in the principle of syncretism founded on a universal belief system according to natural laws, a conscience. He was liberal in ideas but responsible in acts by accommodating his knowledge to practice for ordinary life. Samuel Johnson's definition of an imperiously sullen scholar who loses his days in unsocial silence and lives in the crowd of life without a companion was the opposite of Voltaire. Indeed, Voltaire had no morals, yet he was a very moral person for sure.
Born as Francois-Marie Arouet on November 21, 1694, when the discovery of the New World and religious turmoil swept Europe, Voltaire was destined to become a cavalier of new thoughts, Enlightenment of Thoughts, which the Catholic Church regarded as a dangerous school of ideas to the mass. Yet, Voltaire wasn't hell-bent on destroying the Catholic Church as a freemason but pilloried the corruption of the ecclesiastical members and the duplicities of their teachings and acts in practice. Religion is also a social institution made and governed by people and therefore subject to corruption and dysfunction. Before the French Revolution, the Catholic Church controlled people's ways of thinking and exerted its authority over political and cultural spheres. That was why Voltaire's lifelong resistance against the Catholic Church arose, not from blindly malicious intention to sabotage belief of the religion.
Voltaire was very human with his volatile temper but also with passionate munificence. He was fluent in English and his years of stay in England, the country he regarded as a model country of liberty of thoughts and religions. During his visit, he met John Locke, Jonathan Swift, and Alexander Pope, to whom Voltaire was said to be very rude for reasons clandestine. Methinks that for a person as at once passionate and sensitive as Voltaire, the anecdotal vignette sounds true, but who can blame him for his temper and let it eclipse his wholesale brilliance as an unbridled thinker and writer unafraid of speaking against the social injustice against the unprivileged? Rousseau, a fellow freethinker, abandoned his child at an orphanage and berated the illiterate. Isaac Newton, whom Voltaire respected for his scientific findings and logical mind, mistreated his servants with whacks and beatings. But, on the contrary, Voltaire paid off all the tax debts of his tenants on his properties. Also, he published 'Candide,' which is an allegorical book about the absurdities of the teachings of the Church and a man's search for a God in this world, in 1759 at a meager price accessible to poor readers yearning for a taste of Enlightenment.
The absence of God's presence in the deeds of the clergy and religious people and the presence of injustice in the name of elusive God were the questions Voltaire had in mind, and yet he wasn't blasphemous about the God they believed. On the contrary, Voltaire's belief was ecumenical in the principle of syncretism founded on a universal belief system according to natural laws, a conscience. He was liberal in ideas but responsible in acts by accommodating his knowledge to practice for ordinary life. Samuel Johnson's definition of an imperiously sullen scholar who loses his days in unsocial silence and lives in the crowd of life without a companion was the opposite of Voltaire. Indeed, Voltaire had no morals, yet he was a very moral person for sure.
April 16, 2022
I received this book free from Amazon and it is part of the Hourly history collection (https://hourlyhistory.com)
These books are mostly about historical events or historical persons.
This one is about Voltaire, one of the greatest authors, encyclopedia and member of enlightenment movement, and has all the important information about him in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour).
This is my assessment of this book Voltaire, by Hourly history according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 3 stars
2. It prevails important - 4 stars
3. I agree with the read - 2 stars
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 4 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 4 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 4 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 3 stars
Total 3.625 stars
Some excerpts from the book:
Voltaire was the bane of every well-born aristocrat he met because he refused to grant anyone special dignity due to an accident of birth.
“Man is free at the instant he wants to be.” —Voltaire
“England has forty-two religions and only two sauces.” —Voltaire
“It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.” —Voltaire
“I die adoring God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies, and detesting superstition.” —Voltaire
Little did he know that sales of watches at Ferney would reach half a million pound a year. It was the beginning of the famed Swiss watch industry, which is still held in the highest regard today.
He stayed at the Hotel Villette, where he hosted old friends. The American statesman Benjamin Franklin was one of his admirers and visitors.
“I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,”
These books are mostly about historical events or historical persons.
This one is about Voltaire, one of the greatest authors, encyclopedia and member of enlightenment movement, and has all the important information about him in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour).
This is my assessment of this book Voltaire, by Hourly history according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 3 stars
2. It prevails important - 4 stars
3. I agree with the read - 2 stars
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 4 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 4 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 4 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 3 stars
Total 3.625 stars
Some excerpts from the book:
Voltaire was the bane of every well-born aristocrat he met because he refused to grant anyone special dignity due to an accident of birth.
“Man is free at the instant he wants to be.” —Voltaire
“England has forty-two religions and only two sauces.” —Voltaire
“It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.” —Voltaire
“I die adoring God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies, and detesting superstition.” —Voltaire
Little did he know that sales of watches at Ferney would reach half a million pound a year. It was the beginning of the famed Swiss watch industry, which is still held in the highest regard today.
He stayed at the Hotel Villette, where he hosted old friends. The American statesman Benjamin Franklin was one of his admirers and visitors.
“I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,”
November 6, 2022
This was an amazing two hour read. Voltaire was well known for his witty and rebellious behavior and a nuisance to the Catholic Church. The author did an amazing job giving us a deeper look into Voltaire’s early life, his early work, his struggles, love life and his constant passion to question. I do appreciate Voltaire doing even more good in his later life. He did so by helping families who suffered wrongful imprisonments and injustice. He lived and breathed challenging the elite and because of his “controversial work” he influenced more free thinkers.
✨Personal opinion✨
I do enjoy his sophisticated insults because they pack a punch. He is amusing while doing so. And I am in love with the thrill Voltaire’s gets when he provokes.
But Jean Jacques Rousseau will always be my homie. He too can stir the pot but in a way that doesn’t make him seem erratic.
✨Personal opinion✨
I do enjoy his sophisticated insults because they pack a punch. He is amusing while doing so. And I am in love with the thrill Voltaire’s gets when he provokes.
But Jean Jacques Rousseau will always be my homie. He too can stir the pot but in a way that doesn’t make him seem erratic.
October 19, 2021
Threadbare....
No more enlightening than an encyclopedia entry. Motivations are foresworn for brevity. Just as my interest was piqued the chapter ended. More meat on these old bones!
No more enlightening than an encyclopedia entry. Motivations are foresworn for brevity. Just as my interest was piqued the chapter ended. More meat on these old bones!
January 19, 2020
Most profound
It's really astounding to read about the person challenging authorities of the state and religions in 17th century. Must read!
It's really astounding to read about the person challenging authorities of the state and religions in 17th century. Must read!
July 14, 2021
Last year I discovered Hourly History books - a series of free ebooks about a wide range of historical figures and events that are succinctly written and can be read in under an hour. Great for exploring topics of interest without a huge time commitment. This one on Voltaire was well done.
Voltaire was born Francois-Marie Arouet in 1694. He was a prolific writer of plays, stories, poems, and essays, but his most read book today is the satire "Candide." Voltaire held the belief that every person deserved equal treatment despite the circumstances of their birth - an idea that was revolutionary at the time but that was embraced by other Enlightenment thinkers. Voltaire minced no words in criticizing the aristocracy and the dogma of the Catholic Church. During his lifetime, his outspokenness caused him to be imprisoned in the Bastille and eventually expelled from Paris. However his advocacy for justice, freedom of thought, and equal rights influenced the American Founders and the French Revolution and today he remains a highly regarded key figure in the Enlightenment movement.
Voltaire was born Francois-Marie Arouet in 1694. He was a prolific writer of plays, stories, poems, and essays, but his most read book today is the satire "Candide." Voltaire held the belief that every person deserved equal treatment despite the circumstances of their birth - an idea that was revolutionary at the time but that was embraced by other Enlightenment thinkers. Voltaire minced no words in criticizing the aristocracy and the dogma of the Catholic Church. During his lifetime, his outspokenness caused him to be imprisoned in the Bastille and eventually expelled from Paris. However his advocacy for justice, freedom of thought, and equal rights influenced the American Founders and the French Revolution and today he remains a highly regarded key figure in the Enlightenment movement.
November 4, 2023
A Short But Informative Books on History are Fun To Read
Having only known the name Voltaire I stumbled upon Amazon's Hourly History book section and I am glad I did. In about an hour, longer for me, you can get a sense of either a person or a time in history. Well worth the ridiculously price and time. Voltaire helped push the world into what we were all born into. Freedom of speech and human Rights against the government and authority. The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights never would been written or thought possible without Voltaire having lived. Quite a stubborn amazing man!
Having only known the name Voltaire I stumbled upon Amazon's Hourly History book section and I am glad I did. In about an hour, longer for me, you can get a sense of either a person or a time in history. Well worth the ridiculously price and time. Voltaire helped push the world into what we were all born into. Freedom of speech and human Rights against the government and authority. The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights never would been written or thought possible without Voltaire having lived. Quite a stubborn amazing man!
June 6, 2021
◾In defiance of his father’s wishes, who wanted a lawyer in the family, Voltaire became a writer and playwright.
◾He insisted that everyone deserved to be treated equally, a revolutionary idea at the time.
◾“Man is free at the instant he wants to be.”—Voltaire
◾“I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.’ And God granted it.”— Voltaire
◾Voltaire died on May 30, 1778, aged 83.
◾“I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
◾He insisted that everyone deserved to be treated equally, a revolutionary idea at the time.
◾“Man is free at the instant he wants to be.”—Voltaire
◾“I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.’ And God granted it.”— Voltaire
◾Voltaire died on May 30, 1778, aged 83.
◾“I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
August 26, 2023
Witty, arrogant, outspoken, and a social warrior who lived in one of the worst eras and chaotic countries in Europe, Voltaire truly is a badass.
Seriously, why is this man’s life not a film already?
Until his last breath, one of the phrases he uttered was pure sarcasm. 😂
His antipathy towards the high classes and the church, plus him being so defiant to the government during his time is so freaking funny and entertaining.
Funny man with big brain. No wonder his literary works and plays, tho some were banned are a hit even to this day.
Seriously, why is this man’s life not a film already?
Until his last breath, one of the phrases he uttered was pure sarcasm. 😂
His antipathy towards the high classes and the church, plus him being so defiant to the government during his time is so freaking funny and entertaining.
Funny man with big brain. No wonder his literary works and plays, tho some were banned are a hit even to this day.
December 5, 2022
So four stars for a "one hour history" - and maybe less but I learned a lot - I didn't realize how effective a writer he was - he was a bit arrogant - came from a not poor family - seems he never did hard work - but interesting.
I was thinking that he experienced different stuff from the British enlightenment folks, Voltaire would up in jail prison etc and banished from France, but John Locke also had to flee England for a while _ but no jail I think.
I was thinking that he experienced different stuff from the British enlightenment folks, Voltaire would up in jail prison etc and banished from France, but John Locke also had to flee England for a while _ but no jail I think.
September 20, 2022
The perfect book to start your journey of Voltaire
For the first time I found reading about Voltaire exciting. While his life is an inspiration, and nothing less than an institution to learn from, reading about him can be overwhelming. This little book was a perfect restart that I needed to get going in depth on Voltaire again.
For the first time I found reading about Voltaire exciting. While his life is an inspiration, and nothing less than an institution to learn from, reading about him can be overwhelming. This little book was a perfect restart that I needed to get going in depth on Voltaire again.
December 29, 2025
Voltaire led a remarkable life. The book highlights how he lived his life by his own rules. He, along with other Enlightenment thinkers challenged old ideas. Along with freedom of speech and religion Voltaire was also an advocate of separation of church and state.
I found the book enjoyable because it gave me a sense of who he was - witty and defiant with a colorful personality.
I found the book enjoyable because it gave me a sense of who he was - witty and defiant with a colorful personality.
August 7, 2021
Life and works of Voltaire
Quite engrossing and gives a
vivid impression and the challenge
Voltaire had to deal with in his life time
for his belief in the goal of Enlightment thinkers
.
Quite engrossing and gives a
vivid impression and the challenge
Voltaire had to deal with in his life time
for his belief in the goal of Enlightment thinkers
.
December 23, 2021
An ok overview
This book is very spotty the story has information but very incoherent of the why and how his life unfolds The way it does
The life of Voltaire does seem very interesting but this is not the best place to start
This book is very spotty the story has information but very incoherent of the why and how his life unfolds The way it does
The life of Voltaire does seem very interesting but this is not the best place to start
August 3, 2023
A Good Summary
This was a good book that provides an overview of Voltaire. A stepping stone to further reading. The book also correctly sources a quote often wrongly attributed to Voltaren.
This was a good book that provides an overview of Voltaire. A stepping stone to further reading. The book also correctly sources a quote often wrongly attributed to Voltaren.
September 28, 2023
The book will unveil a lot of misinformation about Voltaire to people who (like me) was not acquainted with his life besides his contributions to the enlightenment, Hourly Stories again did a great job and has made me cherish.
December 31, 2021
Seeds for revolution !
I enjoyed this first try of a book like this and today his word stays the course in today's political era.
I enjoyed this first try of a book like this and today his word stays the course in today's political era.
December 31, 2021
Great read
The real 'woke'
Loved the book
Really easy to read and voltaire is a character you expect to read in a fiction but he was real and he made changes.
The real 'woke'
Loved the book
Really easy to read and voltaire is a character you expect to read in a fiction but he was real and he made changes.
February 9, 2022
Hero from france
An informative novel. All about voltaire. He changed the country with his writings. He contributed to the revolution.
A generous person who helped the poor.
An informative novel. All about voltaire. He changed the country with his writings. He contributed to the revolution.
A generous person who helped the poor.
March 15, 2022
Fun fact: Voltaire was in a long-term relationship with his niece.
November 30, 2022
Excellent.
November 19, 2025
Ahead of his times
Voltaire was an amazing figure of the Enlightenment. This book shows just a bit of the man's life. This book is to me an excellent starting point for his story
Voltaire was an amazing figure of the Enlightenment. This book shows just a bit of the man's life. This book is to me an excellent starting point for his story
March 5, 2022
Voltaire
Well written. Enjoyed the broad information on Voltair. Would have enjoyed discussing his ideas over a cup of coffee and a croissant.
Well written. Enjoyed the broad information on Voltair. Would have enjoyed discussing his ideas over a cup of coffee and a croissant.
March 30, 2024
excellent
An excellent synopsis of the life of a brilliant writer and thinker. Although brief the book recounts Voltaire’s philosophies,relationships and his travels to avoid the wrath of the establishment. Very entertaining.
An excellent synopsis of the life of a brilliant writer and thinker. Although brief the book recounts Voltaire’s philosophies,relationships and his travels to avoid the wrath of the establishment. Very entertaining.
January 15, 2020
Very good
I enjoyed this book. Voltaire was an amazing free spirited individual. He helped form the belief of free thinking and freedom to make the decision to choose your way of life and religion.
I enjoyed this book. Voltaire was an amazing free spirited individual. He helped form the belief of free thinking and freedom to make the decision to choose your way of life and religion.
September 22, 2019
This is a concise, interesting explanation of a very combustible individual of the French Enlightenment: Voltaire. He was born at the right time for his views. He refused to offer special regard to anyone because of the accident of their birth. Because he thought everyone should be treated equally, he was before his time. Voltaire's view that even the existence of God should be questioned, kept him in hot water with the Catholic Church of France.
If Voltaire had not lived, America would not have been the place as it was created. Voltaire encouraged religious, political and legal reforms that are common now, but unheard of in his time. The beauty of this book is that it showed clearly how Voltaire affected the French Revolution and the American experience. We are indebted to this Frenchman.
If Voltaire had not lived, America would not have been the place as it was created. Voltaire encouraged religious, political and legal reforms that are common now, but unheard of in his time. The beauty of this book is that it showed clearly how Voltaire affected the French Revolution and the American experience. We are indebted to this Frenchman.
September 28, 2019
Mixed morals but idealistic
Voltaire’s beliefs, “I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,”
Preached tolerance but was always but quick to anger and exchange insults.
Voltaire’s beliefs, “I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,”
Preached tolerance but was always but quick to anger and exchange insults.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews