Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan (1651) is a foundational work of political philosophy, arguing that peace and civil order require an undivided sovereign power established by covenant among fearful, rational individuals. Written in a rigorous yet polemical prose, it fuses anthropology, theology, jurisprudence, and statecraft into a single systematic argument. Emerging from the upheavals of the English Civil War, the book reshaped early modern debates on authority, liberty, representation, and the nature of the commonwealth. Hobbes, born in 1588, was a mathematician, translator, and philosopher deeply marked by political instability and intellectual change. His contact with continental science and geometry encouraged his desire to construct politics with demonstrative precision. Exile in Paris during the civil conflict sharpened his suspicion of faction, clerical power, and competing sovereignties, all of which inform Leviathan's urgent defense of centralized authority. This book is essential for readers interested in the origins of modern political thought, social contract theory, and the philosophical foundations of the state. Demanding but lucid, Leviathan rewards careful reading with a bracing account of fear, reason, obligation, and power that remains unsettlingly relevant.

This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679), in some older texts Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, was an English philosopher who is considered one of the founders of modern political philosophy. Hobbes is best known for his 1651 book Leviathan, which established the social contract theory that has served as the foundation for most later Western political philosophy. In addition to political philosophy, Hobbes also contributed to a diverse array of other fields, including history, jurisprudence, geometry, the physics of gases, theology, ethics, and general philosophy.