Liberation of Mankind: the story of man's struggle for the right to think

Description:

Reprint, first published in 1926. An ambitious history of mankind's struggle for intellectual and religious freedom by Hendrik Willem van Loon (1882-1944), the Dutch-American historian, journalist, author and illustrator. Van Loon traces the long conflict between authority and independent thought, ranging from the ancient world and the early Christian Church through the Reformation, religious persecution and the Enlightenment. Among the figures and movements discussed are Socrates, Erasmus, the Waldensians, Calvin, Servetus, Spinoza and Voltaire, with particular emphasis on the gradual emergence of religious toleration and liberty of conscience. Written in Van Loon's characteristic accessible and anecdotal style, the book presents the development of freedom of thought not as an abstract philosophical history, but as a succession of struggles involving individuals prepared to challenge established religious and political authority.

Condition

Vg in well preserved d/w. Reprint (first published 1926).