Joseph de Maistre's Life, Thought, and Influence: Selected Studies

Leonard Adams is a professor of French Studies at the University of
Guelph.

Since 1965, Richard Lebrun has distinguished himself as one of the
foremost scholars specializing in Maistrian studies. His work has been
of the highest quality and, arguably, thanks to his persistence and deep
interest in the often enigmatic figure of Joseph de Maistre, this
counterrevolutionary crusader, diplomat, philosopher, and historian
continues to maintain a respectable place in academic research up to the
present time.

In his role as editor, Lebrun has brought together 15 articles, a
number of which have previously appeared in well-respected publications.
Closely collaborating to present a clear focus, nine thoughtful,
well-informed authors share these contributions. They have succeeded in
providing under one title a variety of analyses and, in sum, a document
composed of much original material, most of which has stood the test of
time and criticism. They have pooled their expertise to cover more than
two centuries of historical documents ranging from Maistre’s biography
by Jean-Louis Darcel, to aspects of Maistre’s philosophy by Bradley,
Denizet, Thurston, Darcel, and Planchиre, to comparisons between
Maistre’s thought and that of his contemporaries or his disciples and,
most interesting of all, Maistre’s reception and influence at the
present time. Thus, the ground covered is vast and the assertions are
profound. But the presentation, without exception, is succinct and the
topics timely.

Maistre, one of the most paradoxical figures in French history and
thought, and a theorist on language, religion, capital punishment, war,
providentialism, economics, authority, philosophy and politics, seems
likely to maintain his position in European historiography for years to
come. This book provides evidence that researchers have not yet finished
with this energetic Savoyard, whose influence had an international
impact from Russia to France and Great Britain over a period of more
than 200 years, touching such figures as Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. This
volume has indeed achieved the editor’s objective. A central truth
emerges from this publication: Maistre’s work defies easy
classification.