Published by Random House, 1986
Seller: Brothertown Books, Deansboro, NY, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. This is "Voltaire" by A. J. Ayer. In this book , one of the most distinguished living philosophers offers a stimulating, provocative analysis of one of the most intriguing figures of the eighteenth century. François-Marie Arouet, who became famous under the name of Voltaire, is remembered chiefly as the author of 'Candide', but during his lifetime he was known for his plays and his histories, his active involvement in the religious, scientific, and political controversies of the day, his often scurrilous verse which several times led to his exile, and his philosophical writings. ********************************** "The first Major study of Voltaire in some years, this covers both his flamboyant and contradictory personality - born to a well-to-do French family, he liked to claim that he was illegitimate; the product of a Jesuit education, he spent much of his life denouncing and attempting to redress the abuses of Christianity -- and the genuine contributions that he made to the intellectual life of his time. He was not, Ayer concludes, an original philosopher or scientist. But he was a man of great moral courage, with an authority that increased as he grew older; a man of wit, versatility, and pungency who impressed and influenced his contemporaries; a man who, Ayer concludes, deserves to be hailed as the standard bearer of the enlightenment." ******************************************** CHAPTERS : Preface / Life and Character / The English Influence / "Contra" Pascal and Maupertius / Voltaire's Conception of History / The "Philosophical Dictionary" / "Candide", "Zadig", and Other Tales / 'Écrasez l'infâme' / Index **************************************** TITLE : Voltaire / AUTHOR : A. J. Ayer (Sir Alfred Jules "Freddie" Ayer, 1910 - 1989) / IMPRINT : Random House / PLACE : New York / DATE : (1986) / EDITION : American Reprint - First Random House Printing with number line to that effect (NB: until early in the 2000s, Random House started their number line with 2) / STATUS : OP (the book is no longer listed by the publisher) / DETAILS : Hardcover format; contains a Preface and an Index; [x] + 182 pages; approximately 6" x 9 1/8"; quarter-bound, maroon, cloth covered spine and beige paper-covered boards; spine has gilt printing; front board has author's initials stamped in blind; pictorial dust-jacket **************************** CONDITION -- BOOK : VERY GOOD -- JACKET : VERY GOOD -- This is a previously owned book that remains clean and bright with near-negligible signs of handling, and the following particulars noted :: EXTERIOR -- Clean and bright with negligible signs of handling. Text-block edges are clean. / BINDING -- Solid - tight. There is a yawn to the boards at the fore-edge (this likely a production effect.) / INTERIOR -- Clean and free of marking . / JACKET -- Near negligible signs of wear ( Mild surface rub, a few insignificant dents to jacket edges).
Published by London South Place Ethica Society 1988, 1988
Seller: Christian White Rare Books Ltd, Ilkley, YORKS, United Kingdom
First Edition Signed
Condition: Near Fine. pp 33 [1] Freddie Ayer's 1988 lecture inscribed to his intimate friend and fellow Oxford philosopher Anthony Quinton on the upper card wrapper: 'To Tony from Freddie'. In his autobiography, Ayer records that Quinton supported him in his election to the Wykeham Professorship, and became his closest friend. Ayer's 1988 lecture was published in this offprint form in 1000 copies in pink card wrappers; this copy faded close to the spine, otherwise fine. Near Fine Please contact Christian White Rare Books Ltd for more information or images of this item.
Published by 4 February 18 April and 18 October All three on letterhead of 10 Regents Park Terrace London NW1, 1974
Manuscript / Paper Collectible Signed
See Richard Wollheim's appreciative entry on Ayer in the Oxford DNB. From the archives of Philip Dosse, proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of the 'Seven Arts' group of magazines, including 'Books and Bookmen' and 'Plays and Players'. See 'Death of a Bookman' by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of 'Books and Bookmen' at the time of Dosse's suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The three items are each 1p, small 4to. All three in good condition, each folded twice. All three signed 'A. J. Ayer', with typed name beneath, 'Sir Alfred Ayer'. ONE (4 February 1974): He feared that 'Professor Wiggins would refuse' (to write a review), but is 'very glad to hear that you have managed to secure Dr Roger Poole, and much look forward to reading his review. Indeed, I should be grateful if you would send me a copy when it appears.' TWO (18 April 1974): The delayed reply is due to his having 'been away in Bulgaria and Yugoslavia'. Although he enjoyed the copies of Books and Bookmen which Dosse sent him, he has 'had so much other work to cope with that I have not had time to more than glance at the book'. As Dosse 'said there was no hurry', he asks whether he may let him know 'whether or not I think it worth reviewing'. Regarding the 'reasonable fee' that Dosse said he would pay, Ayer refers him to his agent. THREE (18 October 1974): He is enclosing (not present) his review of 'Mr Mackie's and Dr Hesse's books with apologies for having taken rather long over it'. As Dosse will see, Ayer 'could not avoid being a little bit technical but I think that the greater part of the review should be intelligible to your readers'. See Image on one.