Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Volume 01

"Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Volume 01" by Michel de Montaigne is a compilation of philosophical explorations penned in the 1500s, marking a starting point for essays as a form of writing. Montaigne thinks deeply about what it means to be human, questioning feelings, and life itself. He shares his personal thoughts and stories, offering a special perspective for readers to consider life and right from wrong. The book starts with a preface, setting the scene for Montaigne's essays and filling a need for a complete set of his works. The preface points out Montaigne's importance as a writer whose honest looks at his own mind and the world influenced major figures like Bacon and Shakespeare. Then, a list of chapters is provided, beginning with thought-provoking subjects like sadness, being inactive, and the value of friendship. Essentially, the start of this collection highlights Montaigne's goal of sharing his philosophical ideas while setting up the many different topics explored in future chapters.