ROY PORTER sometime Professor in the Social History of Medicine at the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine, University College London. He has written widely on the history of medicine, psychiatry and the Enlightenment. His recent books include Doctor of Society: Thomas Beddoes and the Sick Trade in Late Enlightenment England (1991), London: A Social History (1994) and 'The Greatest Benefit to Mankind': A Medical History of Humanity (1997).

• Introduction and AcknowledgementsWhat Was the Enlightenment?The Goal: A Science of ManThe Politics of EnlightenmentReforming Religion by ReasonWho Was the Enlightenment?Unity or Diversity?Movement or Mentalité?Conclusion: Did the Enlightenment Matter?Reading SuggestionsIndex.

Reviews of the first edition: 'Roy Porter provides an entertaining, vigorous and accessible discussion of a concept that can easily appear hopelessly confusing, if not entirely elusive.' - Derek Beales, The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 'This volume may confidently be recommended to its intended audience. Books of this kind are the hardest of all to write, and not all experts wear their learning lightly enough to succeed. Roy Porter does, and is cordially to be thanked.' - Alan P.F. Sell, Aberystwyth and Lampeter University School of Theology

ROY PORTER sometime Professor in the Social History of Medicine at the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine, University College London. He has written widely on the history of medicine, psychiatry and the Enlightenment. His recent books include Doctor of Society: Thomas Beddoes and the Sick Trade in Late Enlightenment England (1991), London: A Social History (1994) and 'The Greatest Benefit to Mankind': A Medical History of Humanity (1997).

• Introduction and AcknowledgementsWhat Was the Enlightenment?The Goal: A Science of ManThe Politics of EnlightenmentReforming Religion by ReasonWho Was the Enlightenment?Unity or Diversity?Movement or Mentalité?Conclusion: Did the Enlightenment Matter?Reading SuggestionsIndex.

Reviews of the first edition: 'Roy Porter provides an entertaining, vigorous and accessible discussion of a concept that can easily appear hopelessly confusing, if not entirely elusive.' - Derek Beales, The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 'This volume may confidently be recommended to its intended audience. Books of this kind are the hardest of all to write, and not all experts wear their learning lightly enough to succeed. Roy Porter does, and is cordially to be thanked.' - Alan P.F. Sell, Aberystwyth and Lampeter University School of Theology

ROY PORTER sometime Professor in the Social History of Medicine at the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine, University College London. He has written widely on the history of medicine, psychiatry and the Enlightenment. His recent books include Doctor of Society: Thomas Beddoes and the Sick Trade in Late Enlightenment England (1991), London: A Social History (1994) and 'The Greatest Benefit to Mankind': A Medical History of Humanity (1997).

• Introduction and AcknowledgementsWhat Was the Enlightenment?The Goal: A Science of ManThe Politics of EnlightenmentReforming Religion by ReasonWho Was the Enlightenment?Unity or Diversity?Movement or Mentalité?Conclusion: Did the Enlightenment Matter?Reading SuggestionsIndex.

Reviews of the first edition: 'Roy Porter provides an entertaining, vigorous and accessible discussion of a concept that can easily appear hopelessly confusing, if not entirely elusive.' - Derek Beales, The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 'This volume may confidently be recommended to its intended audience. Books of this kind are the hardest of all to write, and not all experts wear their learning lightly enough to succeed. Roy Porter does, and is cordially to be thanked.' - Alan P.F. Sell, Aberystwyth and Lampeter University School of Theology