Voltaire's "Histoire De Charles 12" is a significant historical work that chronicles the life and military campaigns of Charles 12, the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. The book delves into Charles 12's rise to power at the age of 15, his leadership during the Great Northern War, and his notable victories against formidable opponents like Russia at the Battle of Narva. It also covers his eventual defeat at the Battle of Poltava, his exile in the Ottoman Empire, and his final years leading up to his death in 1718 during a siege in Norway. Voltaire's work is considered one of the first attempts to write history in a modern, analytical way, focusing on facts and explanations rather than mere storytelling.
François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, was a prominent French Enlightenment writer and philosopher. Born in 1694, he became renowned for his critical capacity, wit, and satire, advocating for civil liberties and challenging church authority and political institutions. "Histoire De Charles 12" was Voltaire's first major historical work, published in 1731, and it played a crucial role in establishing his reputation across Europe. He was deeply interested in powerful leaders and historical events, viewing Charles 12 as a fascinating figure whose life of war and adventure deserved a true and fair account based on facts and eyewitness stories—a novel approach to historical writing at the time.
This book holds considerable historical and literary significance. It not only shaped the perception of Charles 12 for many years but also influenced subsequent historians by demonstrating that history could be presented in a clear and engaging manner. For collectors, this work is interesting due to its authorship by Voltaire, a key figure of the Enlightenment, and its status as his inaugural major historical publication. It represents an early example of modern historiography, where an author sought to analyze events and their causes, making it a foundational text in the evolution of historical writing.
Overall condition is Fair. The covers and boards are Fair, with bumped corners, moderate edgewear, moderate fading to the cloth, significant rubbing, moderate scuffing, moderate soiling, and moderate staining to the cloth. The spine is Fair, half detatched, with a bumped head and tail, darkening, faded lettering, moderate fraying, rubbing, and worn gilt. The hinges and joints are weak. The text block and pages are Good, with foxing, light spotting, and toning. The endpapers are Good, with foxing, an inscription, and toning.
Hardcover. No dust jacket. Bound in cloth over boards. This is an antiquarian book that has had a long and illustrious journey through time. Please take a look at the pictures to ascertain the condition of this item.
Page Count: 262
Location: ABS-1-1-006