Leviathan: With selected variants from the Latin edition of 1668 (Hackett Classics)

Hobbes wrote in English, so when it comes to English editions, translation is not an issue. For that reason, there are several good English editions of Leviathan out there. But Edwin Curley's, put out by Hackett, is easily among the best. The main reason for this is that it is the only version I am aware of which includes the variants from the Latin edition. Curley's has other benefits too, such as his inclusion of paragraph numbers, which, though it may seem like a minor detail, greatly eases navigation of the text, especially when reading it with other people. He modernizes Hobbes' spellings, which some readers prefer, and some detest. I don't find that it makes a significant difference, IMHO, although sometimes archaic spellings can get distracting. His introduction is also the best for understanding the significance of the Latin edition, and why and how he makes use of it. Look here first for an excellent edition of Hobbes' Leviathan.The two other editions to consider are done by Richard Tuck, for Cambridge (Hobbes: Leviathan: Revised student edition (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)) and J. C. A. Gaskin, for Oxford (Leviathan (Oxford World's Classics)). Of these three, only Tuck retains Hobbes' spelling, which, as mentioned above, is in some ways beneficial, and in some ways confusing--beneficial because it reduces (possibly unwarranted) editorial interpolations, and confusing because modern eyes are not used to it. Gaskin also numbers his paragraphs, and modernizes spelling. Neither incorporate the Latin edition, though both make passing (dismissive) mention of its existence in their introductions. All three can be had without much expense--financial or otherwise--and for serious study it may be worth it to have all three to read alongside each other. If you can only get one, however, get Curley's.

I am a political science major in college so I had to buy this book for one of my theory classes. It was an essential reading in understanding the foundations of modern political theories. I would recommend reading Locke, Rousseau, and Marx's works as well if this is something you're interested in. While I will keep my personal opinion of the content at bay, the book itself came in perfect condition.

Hobbes uses the jargon of classical liberals to talk about natural law, natural rights, state of nature vs state of war in order to draw in classically liberal minded people but his solution to the problems of the state of war is to set up an ultimately authoritarian state and essentially refute all he has said previously of natural rights and consent. Hobbes is an absolute monarchist (probably in the extreme vein of Russian Czarism) posing as a liberal to lead people back into serfdom.As for the book itself as a physical item it’s well made and a great edition to buy if you want to read Hobbes once before disregarding him and picking up John Locke’s and Edmund Burke’s books instead.

It was for a class and it came really fast. Good read.

I bought this version and the cambridge blue book version. this one's pages are easier to read b/c of the color, and the font is good. Hobbes is a must read, one of the greatest.

This is the easiest to read version of Hobbes' tome that I have seen to date. Buy it if you are even the slightest curious about this philosopher's writings.

Hobbes is a misunderstood philosopher. He envisaged that executive power would be based on the will of the people who allow it to be exercised. In this way Hobbes saw the development of a social contract between members of society and those who govern, based on individual rights not to subsciptive service as vassals. He also warned that agreements (or covenants) without either armed or moral right to be enforced would remain simply that - words. Hobbes does indeed speak to all peoples who live in our society - white, black and any shade in between.

Everyone knows about Hobbes and hears about Leviathan in any social science or history course, but not everyone gets to actually dive in and read his theories on realism. I got this for my political theory class and can honestly say that it enlightened me. I wouldn't read this for fun, but its a good read.