In 1572 Montaigne retired to his estates in order to devote himself to
leisure, reading and reflection. There he wrote his constantly expanding
'essays', inspired by the ideas he found in books from his library and his
own experience. He discusses subjects as diverse as war-horses and
cannibals, poetry and politics, sex and religion, love and friendship,
ecstasy and experience. Above all, Montaigne studied himself to find his
own inner nature and that of humanity. The Essays are among the most
idiosyncratic and personal works in all literature. An insight into a wise
Renaissance mind, they continue to engage, enlighten and entertain modern
readers.