Books in the Troisieme Periode (1814-1820) series

This volume contains the definitive version of the second of the five volumes of Benjamin Constant's major study entitled "De la Religion, considérée dans sa source ...". Its unusually extensive annexes assemble a selection of manuscripts illustrating the working methods and strategies employed by the author. Further, the volume contains a general introduction, a chronology and a detailed critical apparatus comprising explanatory notes, biographical details of the persons referred to, a bibliography, and an index of proper names. As such it gives a graphic idea of the astounding originality displayed by Constant in his approach to research on religion.

The volume of the "OEuvres Complètes de Benjamin Constant", which marks the starting point of this important publication, contains all the material relating to "The Hundred Days", the most controversial episode in the career of Benjamin Constant, the politician. After having cricised Napoleon very severely in the press during the march on Paris, Constant rallied to the support of the Emperor on his return to power. He then agreed to work on the publication of the "Acte Additionnel aux Constitutions de l'Empire". Following the battle of Waterloo, Constant felt bound to offer an explanation for his conduct and he prepared the volume which appeared, between 1820 and 1822, under the title "Mémoires sur les Cent-Jours". Volume 14 of the "OEuvres Complètes de Benjamin Constant", which has been carefully edited by Kurt Kloocke of the University of Tübingen and André Cabanis of the University of Toulouse, includes all the texts which relate to the "Mémoires", together with all the drafts left by Constant.