
audiobook
by Henriette Roland Holst-Van der Schalk
This vivid portrait traces the life of a seminal thinker from his modest beginnings in early‑18th‑century Geneva, a city shaped by Calvinist tradition and a thriving community of skilled artisans. It explores how the young boy’s early exposure to the meticulous craft of watchmaking and the intellectual currents of his time sowed the seeds of his later philosophical curiosity.
The narrative then follows his restless journey to Paris, his encounters with the turbulent social and intellectual climate of the Enlightenment, and the periods of solitude that produced his most influential works. Along the way, readers discover the personal struggles and inner conflicts that defined his later years, offering a nuanced glimpse into the mind that helped reshape ideas about society, education, and human nature.
Language
nl
Duration
~10 hours (577K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Marc D’Hooghe
Release date
2004-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1869–1952
A major Dutch poet and essayist, she brought lyric intensity and fierce political conviction to everything she wrote. Her work moved between intimate poetry, social criticism, and a lifelong search for justice.
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