PRAISE FOR Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely

“Curran narrates with verve the story of Diderot’s life, but also his late masterpieces, unknown in their own time and written for posterity.”

—SOPHIA ROSENFELD, author of Common Sense

“An absorbing sketch of life in eighteenth-century France; it provides dazzling insight into critical issues including the existence of God and freedom of speech.”

—THIERRY HOQUET, author of Revisiting the Origin of Species

“A thrilling narrative that grants the reader an intimate look at Diderot’s life and intellectual development.”

—ELENA RUSSO, author of Styles of Enlightenment

“This biography is brimming with life — ideas of life and the life of ideas.”

—ÉRIC FASSIN, author of Populism Left and Right

“Compelling…Curran recaptures the radicalism of the monumental Encyclopédie and other texts that are now cornerstones of the Enlightenment canon.”

—LAURA AURICCHIO, author of The Marquis

“Superbly written and impeccably researched…Analyzing Diderot’s relentless pursuit of freedom in an era of censorship and fanaticism, Curran uncovers the multiple facets of his genius and his relevance for our times.”

—OURIDA MOSTEFAI, author of Rousseau and L’Infame