Jean-Jacques: The Early Life and Work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1712-1754 By Maurice Cranston

I read all three volumes of Cranston's biography of Rousseau, and althought the work is a bit dry I finished with the sense that I know both the intellectual and emotional dimensions of the man as well as most any biography of Rousseau could convey. But then again Richard Holmes hasn't decided to write about him.

I wish Cranston had eliminated much of the discussion of R's social life. I really do not need to read of every dinner engagement, every conversation, every evening in one salon or another. Paperback As far as biographies go, I found this one dull. At 250 it picks up some with actual concentration on his work, but quickly descends once again into the amorous experiences of Rousseau. I excuse the author the continual references to adorable brunettes and other lovely ladies, as it appears to occupy a great deal of Rousseau's own attention. However, inevitably almost every person in his life is introduced in one way or another based on their adultery, mistresses, lovers, etc. It got overwhelming, then irritating. I was not looking for a Gossip Girl revamp. While biographies are under no compulsion to make their study likable, they should at least be interesting. Rousseau may have always been truly ill, but he comes off as a hypochondriac. I'm sick of his unfulfilled sexual desires. I like him even less than when I began. When Rousseau isn't up to his old tricks, the books goes off on his friend's actions. Was Rousseau known for his Social Contract theory or creepy obsession with women? I wouldn't know after finishing this book. 9780226118628

In the first volume of his trilogy, noted political philosopher Maurice Cranston draws from original manuscript sources to trace Rousseau's life from his birth in provincial obscurity in Geneva, through his youthful wanderings, to his return to Geneva in 1754 as a celebrated writer and composer.

[An] admirable biography which is as meticulous, calm, reasonable, and judicious as its subject is passionate and tumultuous.â€"Keith Michael Baker, Washington Post Book World

The definitive biography, as scholarly as it is entertaining.â€"The Economist

Exceptionally fresh . . . . [Cranston] seems to know exactly what his readers need to know, and thoughtfully enriches the backgroundâ€"both physical and intellectualâ€"of Rousseau's youthful peregrinations . . . . He makes the first part of Rousseau's life as absorbing as a picaresque novel. His fidelity to Rousseau's ideas and to his life as it was lived is a triumph of poise.â€"Naomi Bliven, The New Yorker

The most outstanding achievement of Professor Cranston's own distinguished career.â€"Robert Wokler, Times Literary Supplement

Maurice Cranston (1920-1993), a distinguished scholar and recipient of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his biography of John Locke, was professor of political science at the London School of Economics. His numerous books include The Romantic Movement and Philosophers and Pamphleteers, and translations of Rousseau's The Social Contract and Discourse on the Origins of Inequality. Jean-Jacques: The Early Life and Work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1712-1754