from the Great Philosophers of the 18th Century’ offers a fascinating insight into the philosophical revolution that was taking place at the time.

A superb book for dipping in and out of, this makes a great gift for anyone with an interest in philosophy. Nicolas de Chamfort (1741 – 1794) was a political philosopher who attacked the French monarchy through antiroyalist writing. Also born in France, Denis Diderot (1713 – 1784) was a writer and central figure in the Age of Enlightenment. Scottish economist, Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) wrote treatises on morality and economics. German physicist, Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742 – 1799) satirised superstition and wrote extensively about natural phenomena. Pierre Beaumarchais (1732 – 1799) was a French playwright, spy, diplomat, and watchmaker.