In “The End of Enlightenment,” historian Richard Whatmore challenges the conventional view of the Enlightenment as a triumphant era of reason and progress. Instead, he reveals it as a period marked by disillusionment and failure, where the ideals of liberty and civil rights were overshadowed by war, xenophobia, and the relentless pursuit of wealth and empire. Through the lens of influential thinkers like David Hume and Adam Smith, Whatmore explores how the Enlightenment’s promise of a harmonious coexistence between absolute monarchies and free states crumbled, leaving behind a legacy of terror, revolution, and colonial expansion.

Why You Should Read?

• Offers a fresh, critical perspective on the Enlightenment, challenging long-held beliefs.
• Explores the enduring impact of Enlightenment ideas on contemporary issues.
• Features insights from key figures like Hume, Smith, and Wollstonecraft, providing depth and context.
• Engages readers interested in history, philosophy, and the evolution of political thought.