The Republic of Letters
- 400 pages
- 14 hours of reading
A provocative exploration of intellectual exchange across four centuries of European history by a leading French scholar
Marc Fumaroli Book order
June 10, 1932 – June 24, 2020
Marc Fumaroli was a literary scholar and art historian who specialized in French classical rhetoric. His work delved deeply into the interplay between literature, art, and power within European culture, exploring how these modes of expression intertwine and influence one another. Fumaroli's meticulous research and brilliant prose illuminated the complexities of rhetorical traditions and their enduring impact on aesthetic and intellectual thought. He was celebrated for his ability to bring past intellectual currents to life, presenting them with fresh relevance for contemporary readers.
- 2018
- 2011
A New York Review Books Original During the eighteenth century, from the death of Louis XIV until the Revolution, French culture set the standard for all of Europe. In Sweden, Austria, Italy, Spain, England, Russia, and Germany, among kings and queens, diplomats, military leaders, writers, aristocrats, and artists, French was the universal language of politics and intellectual life. In When the World Spoke French, Marc Fumaroli presents a gallery of portraits of Europeans and Americans who conversed and corresponded in French, along with excerpts from their letters or other writings. These men and women, despite their differences, were all irresistibly attracted to the ideal of human happiness inspired by the Enlightenment, whose capital was Paris and whose king was Voltaire. Whether they were in Paris or far away, speaking French connected them in spirit with all those who desired to emulate Parisian tastes, style of life, and social pleasures. Their stories are testaments to the appeal of that famous “sweetness of life” nourished by France and its language.
- 2002
Exploring the life and legacy of La Fontaine, this English translation highlights his status as the greatest French lyric poet of the seventeenth century. Renowned for his fables and Contes, La Fontaine's works continue to resonate, being memorized by generations of French schoolchildren. The book provides a perceptive account of his contributions to literature, showcasing the enduring impact of his storytelling and poetic genius.