Michel de Montaigne was one of the most influential figures of the Renaissance, responsible for establishing the essay as a literary form. This edition of The Complete Essays from Penguin Classics is translated from the French and edited with an introduction and notes by M.A. Screech. In 1572, Montaigne retired to his estates to dedicate himself to enjoyment, reading, and contemplation. There, he wrote his ever-expanding 'essays', inspired by the ideas he found in the books of his library and his own experiences. He discusses topics as diverse as war horses and cannibals, poetry and politics, sex and religion, love and friendship, ecstasy and experience. But, above all, Montaigne studied himself as a way to reveal his own inner nature and that of humans in general. The Essays are among the most idiosyncratic and personal works in all of literature, offering a fascinating glimpse into a wise Renaissance mind, continuing to provide pleasure and enlightenment to modern readers. With its extensive introduction and notes, Screech's edition of Montaigne is widely considered the finest of recent years. Michel de Montaigne (1533-1586) studied law and spent several years working as a counselor before dedicating his life to reading, writing, and reflection. If you enjoyed The Complete Essays, you might be interested in François Rabelais's work Gargantua and Pantagruel, also available from Penguin Classics.