The Radical Enlightenment Book

Jacob sees the pantheism of the 'radical enlightenment' arising during the English revolutions of the 17th century, and inspired by Giordano Bruno's vital materialism. Carried by such people as Toland to the Netherlands in the early 18th century they served to inspire radical materialist ideas such as those of d'Holbach later in that century. At the same time a 'moderate' Enlightenment, which gave a role to God, either Christian or deist, and was inspired by Newton became very influential in France through such figures as Voltaire. At least this is my understanding of the general outline of one of Jacob's themes. In addition she has much to say about Freemasonry and secret societies that supported the 'radical Enlightenment.' This was of less interest to me. While this is a very rich and complex book, I was pleased with the clarity with which Jacob writes. I have read about this period and some of its ideas, but I feel that I have a significantly clearer understanding after reading portions of this book.