The Confessions (trans. by J.M. Cohen) - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Category: Other
Language: English
Keywords: Philosophy Non-Fiction
Written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Read by Frederick Davidson
Format: MP3
Unabridged

The Confessions (UNABRIDGED)
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Narrated by Frederick Davidson
LENGTH: 30 hrs and 4 mins
RELEASE DATE: 04-10-12
Publisher’s Summary

Dr. Johnson may have been correct in saying that “Rousseau was a very bad man,” but none can argue that his ideas are among the most influential in all of world history. It was Rousseau, the father of the romantic movement, who was responsible for introducing at least two modern day thoughts that pervade academia: (1) free expression of the creative spirit is more important than strict adhesion to formal rules and traditional procedures, and (2) man is innately good but is corrupted by society and civilization.

The Confessions is Rousseau’s landmark autobiography. Both brilliant and flawed, it is nonetheless beautifully written and remains one of the most moving human documents in all of literature. In this work, Rousseau “frankly and sincerely” settles accounts with himself in an effort to project his “true” image to the world. In so doing he reveals the details of a man who paid little regard to accepted morality and social conventions.

Public Domain (P)1995 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What the Critics Say

“Davidson’s articulate and lightly vocalized rendering is an invaluable help to the listener…. This audio may be savored over time, and is well worth the effort. Davidson’s cultured, ironic tone meshes well with Rousseau canny genius.” (Kliatt)