The Autobiography of Solomon Maimon

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This is the first complete and annotated English translation of Maimon's engaging memoir, which has captivated readers for over two centuries, including notable figures like Goethe and Hannah Arendt. Celebrated as one of the most significant Jewish works of modernity, this edition presents Maimon’s life story in full. Born in 1753 to a struggling Jewish family, Maimon quickly emerged as a learning prodigy. He grew restless with his Talmudic education and rabbinical training, seeking inspiration in the Hasidic community and Kabbalistic teachings, often sharing humorous anecdotes from these experiences. After a series of adventurous escapades, Maimon arrived in Berlin, where he became involved in the Jewish Enlightenment, ultimately earning recognition as a sharp critic of Kant, who acknowledged his intellectual prowess. This new edition restores previously omitted text from the abridged 1888 translation, the only English version available for years. Paul Reitter’s translation captures Maimon's prose nuances while remaining accessible to contemporary readers. The edition includes an introduction and notes by Yitzhak Melamed and Abraham Socher, offering valuable insights into Maimon's extraordinary life, alongside an afterword by Gideon Freudenthal that summarizes his impact on modern philosophy.