In the early years of the twenty-first century, the ideas that were first proposed over two hundred years ago could not be more compelling.

The Enlightenment rose out of the seventeenth century in response to upheaval and uncertainly and laid the foundation stone for modern society.

The Britannica Guide to the Ideas that Changed the Modern World is from England, France and the Netherlands - Isaac Newton, John Locke, David Hume, Voltaire and Spinoza - whose work still demands our attention today.

The Britannica Guide series offers an essential introduction to many of the key issues of our times. Clear, accurate, and meticulously researched the series gives both the background and analysis for when you need to know for sure what is really happening in the world, whether you are an expert, student or traveller.