Baron d'Holbach : a Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France

"Baron d'Holbach: A Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France" by Max Pearson Cushing is a detailed look at the life and powerful ideas of Baron d'Holbach, a key person in the Enlightenment era in France. Cushing's narrative explores Holbach’s significant impact on the growth of atheism during a time when religion had a strong grip on society. The book begins by tracing Holbach's early years, his education, and the important friendships he made with influential people in Paris, like Diderot and Rousseau. These relationships were crucial to shaping his thinking. Cushing reveals how Holbach's writings not only challenged traditional religious beliefs but also hinted at big social and political changes, ultimately connecting his radical thoughts to the start of the French Revolution and the intellectual shift of his time.