Œuvres complètes de Voltaire (Complete Works of Voltaire) 64

Voltaire's clever and moving defence of his "Philosophie de l'histoire" against an attack by Pierre Henri Larcher, lets his wit and insight shine through on a dizzying array of topics, and ultimately the defence of his fundamental beliefs about historical writing and Enlightenment principles. Penned in a week at the age of 73, it is an impassioned apologia of Voltaire's rational system of approaching history and civilization. "A Warburton", also contained in this volume, followed hot on the heels of the "Defense de mon oncle". It is a short but highly polemical pamphlet, directed against the prominent bishop and theological commentator, William Warburton.