The main focus of this daring study is the veiled message concealed in the trilogy consisting of Zadig, Candide and L’Ingénu. Micromégas, Le Mondain and the Poem on the Disaster of Lisbon are also examined esoterically. The Voltairian “contraband” which is the core of those writings was too explosive for overt publication during the lifetime of the author. More dangerous to reveal than his well-known, subversive socio-political views was the spiritual source of his militancy. Accordingly, his veiled message was meant for the general reading public of the future. But it never went unnoticed by other literary “smugglers.” Hints and clues to the presence of hidden material are many. Zadig, for instance, is described by its author as “a story that says more than it seems to say,” a massive understatement. Voltaire is “only” one star in a spectacular constellation of similarly inspired writers. Among such luminaries are Rabelais, Vigny, Ibsen, Proust, Sinclair Lewis and Saint-Exupéry. In the words of Marcel Proust, “the great writers have never done but one work…” Leads are given to encourage the esoteric exploration of the vast domain of esoteric literature. An esoteric Glossary is included in this book.

If you have read and loved The Little Prince and if you like riddles, this book will probably interest you. What is the meaning of the “magnificent image” at the beginning of the first chapter? Most readers do not find it magnificent at all. Yet, those who know that “the essential is invisible to the eyes” see it as an invitation to think and to learn. The “hat” featured on the same page which actually is something else conveys another hint to look beyond appearance. As you read The Proof by Nine, you will see what is represented by the Virgin Forest mentioned on the first page of The Little Prince. You will grasp the meanings of the pilot, the little prince, the golden muffler of the title character and of the wonderful “fox.” You will see what the “children” really are. The war waged by “sheep” against the “rose” will make profound sense. You will recognize the universal symbols of the tree, the rope, the wheel and the well of science. You will be edified by the experience of the Turkish astronomer. You will observe how all that is relevant to current events and politics for, as stated by the author of The Proof by Nine, “all those things are connected.” You might even ask yourself an exciting question: “Did Saint-Exupéry see the future?” That is why The Little Prince is, in the final words of its author “so very important.”

This book is devoted to the veiled message transmitted in the works of famous authors over a period of centuries. Esoteric literature is the massive body of Western and other writings containing a philosophical "contraband"-ever the same under a deceptive variety of surfaces or veils. In the words of Marcel Proust, "the great writers have never done but one work." Alfred de Vigny- a nineteenth century poet, novelist and playwright- belongs to the literary brotherhood involved in the transmission of the concealed message. Rabelais, Voltiare, Anatole France, Ibsen and Proust are only a few of his fellow-smugglers. English and American literatures have their share of such writers. So does the literary heritage of other European nations and of Latin America. This book contains a glossary of major key-words of the verbal "algebra" used by esoteric writers. Sensitive readers are encouraged to read the biography and the glossary first and the poetry of Vigny next. This will enable some of them to discover by and for themselves the full beauty and depth of the texts. Extraordinary findings await the esoteric readers of the literary production of Vigny. There are hints of the greatness of Atlantis. There is a vast panorama of Time and Space. There are suggestions of a startling view of the inner structure of planet Earth, a view that is also reflected in the various utopias of classical authors. Last but not least, there is the generally unsuspected, radiant reality of the works and the life of Vigny. Please visit: www.degn.org/Bonhomme

Tobias Smollett (1721–71) is best known as a novelist; however this prolific and talented author was also a notable historian, literary critic, translator, medical writer and satirist. This volume will help us to reassess our understanding of Smollett by presenting some of his most significant miscellaneous writings in a new critical edition.

Magpie witnesses a strange spectacle above the streets of Paris: a boy suspended in the air. It ends in disaster - even so, Magpie is enthralled by the idea of flying. But others, too, are determined to discover Montgolfier's secrets ...

We think of Voltaire as the epitome of the Enlightenment; in his own time he was also the most famous and controversial figure in Europe. Davidson tells the whole, rich story of his life (1694-1778) - his early imprisonment in the Bastille; exile in England and his mastery of English; an obsession with money, of which he made a huge amount; a scandalous love life; his infatuation with Frederick the Great; a long exile on the borders of Switzerland; his passion for watch-making; his human rights campaigns and his triumphant return to Paris to die there as celebrity extraordinaire. Throughout all of this Voltaire's life was always informed by two things: a belief in the essential value of toleration in the face of fanaticism; and in the right of every man to think and say what he liked. It is rare to have such a vivid portrait of a great man.

A profound and controversial investigation of a complex theme - the war that led to the fall of Jerusalem and the creation of the Christian religion. The religious and political battle between the people of Judea and the Jewish and Roman aristocracies is presented in an unconventional narrative, which investigates ancient evidence, quotes from the work of respected authorities on the subject, and states controversial opinions openly. Its main conclusion is that the New Testament (the new law) was created by a powerful senatorial family called the Calpurnius Pisos, who had the full support of their relatives, the Herodian royal family (the family of ‘Herod the Great’), and the Flavian emperors, with the Piso family hiding their name within the Koine Greek scriptures. The result is a book that is both provocative and compelling. Using valuable feedback from Cambridge and Oxford University professors, Henry Davis explains why the supposed Jewish Historian, Flavius Josephus, never existed, how the Book of Revelation presents the name of the Piso family member who oversaw the creation of the Christian scripture, and the reason the number 666 was changed to 616. Davis also explains the facts behind the personal and political reasons that led to the Roman and Jewish royal families creating a new religion, and how the Piso family used the literary techniques of the aristocracy to insert their names into the scriptures. '... I found his selection of evidence to be both interesting and compelling...' Creating Christianity: A Weapon Of Ancient Rome is a thoughtful work of historical non-fiction by author Henry Davis. Anyone with a knowledge of the history of the Roman Empire knows that its conversion from a pagan belief system to widespread Christianity was a significant political and military move for the Empire as much as it was a religious decision, and this book focuses on the specific details and clues as to how that really came about. Davis searches for the real identity of the Christian Messiah and argues for a potentially Roman author of the modern NewTestament, one who had a view to creating a new religion for his own reasons as much as those of Rome. - Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★

Discover the power, resilience, and indomitable spirit of women who have shaped history. In her first collected works, Lauren Gunderson demonstrates why she has become one of America's most produced playwrights. Weaving together the extraordinary stories of trailblazing women from various eras, Gunderson provides a unique and necessary perspective on modern American feminism, the beautiful humanism of science, and the power of the heartful heroine. Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight: Passionate. Vivid. Defiant. Tonight, 18th-century scientific genius Emilie du Châtelet is back and determined to answer the question she died with: love or philosophy, head or heart? The Revolutionists: Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie-Antoinette, and Caribbean rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, lose their heads, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in the Paris of 1793. Ada and the Engine: It's 1830 and fiery, brilliant, Ada Lovelace writes the first computer program for her friend and mentor Charles Babbage. They share a language of numbers, and imagine a world of computing machines. But only Ada dreams that those machines will make music. Silent Sky: The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt plays out against a landscape of fierce sisterly love, early feminism, paradigm shifting science, romance, revelation, and a time when humans were called “computers”. Natural Shocks: "To be or not to be" – In this one-woman tour-de-force, witty and wild Angela paces alone in her basement, waiting out an imminent tornado: in such a stark situation, it is only natural that secrets come out, confessions spill over, and a reckoning is about to touch down. Introduced and contextualized by dramaturg Julie Felise Dubiner, Revolutionary Women charts an unforgettable journey through time and place, celebrating and exploring the greatness of history's women.

The leading figure of the French Enlightenment, Voltaire was a versatile writer, celebrated for his satirical wit and his advocacy of freedom of religion. Voltaire’s oeuvre features works in almost every literary form, including masterpieces in drama, poetry and fiction, as well as historical and scientific literature. This comprehensive eBook presents the largest collection of Voltaire’s works ever compiled in English translation, with numerous illustrations, rare texts appearing in digital print for the first time, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Voltaire’s life and works * Concise introductions to the novels and other texts * ALL the novels, with individual contents tables * Images of how the books were first published, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the texts * Famous works are fully illustrated with contemporary artwork * Includes Voltaire’s rare epic poems ‘The Henriade’ and ‘The Maid of Orleans’ – available in no other collection * Voltaire’s rare poems * Includes Voltaire’s plays - spend hours exploring the celebrated plays * Includes a comprehensive range of non-fiction texts * Special criticism section, with essays evaluating Voltaire’s contribution to literature * Features three biographies - discover Voltaire’s literary life * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles CONTENTS: The Philosophical Fiction ZADIG MICROMEGAS CANDIDE; OR, THE OPTIMIST L’INGÉNU THE MAN OF FORTY CROWNS OTHER PHILOSOPHICAL TALES The Plays OEDIPUS MARIAMNE ZAIRE CAESAR THE PRODIGIAL MEROPE OLYMPIA THE ORPHAN OF CHINA BRUTUS MAHOMET AMELIA SOCRATES ALZIRE ORESTES SÉMIRAMIS CATILINE PANDORA THE SCOTCH WOMAN NANINE THE PRUDE THE TATLER PREFACES TO PLAYS The Poetry THE HENRIADE THE MAID OF ORLEANS THE LISBON EARTHQUAKE AND OTHER POEMS The Philosophical Works LETTERS ON ENGLAND PHILOSOPHICAL LETTERS A PHILOSOPHICAL DICTIONARY TOLERATION AND OTHER ESSAYS AN ESSAY ON CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS The Historical Works AGE OF LOUIS XIV THE HISTORY OF PETER THE GREAT, EMPEROR OF RUSSIA HISTORY OF CHARLES XII The Criticism VOLTAIRE by John Cowper Powys VOLTAIRE’S TRAGEDIES by Lytton Strachey VOLTAIRE AND FREDERICK THE GREAT by Lytton Strachey INGERSOLL’S LECTURE ON VOLTAIRE by Robert Green Ingersoll VOLTAIRE AND KING STANISLAS by Henry W. Wolff VOLTAIRE IN THE NETHERLANDS by C. A. Van Sypesteyn The Biographies VOLTAIRE by John Morley VOLTAIRE: A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORKS by G. W. Foote and J. M. Wheeler VOLTAIRE: BRIEF BIOGRAPHY by George Saintsbury Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles