This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. At The Existentialist Café

   Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails

   

   "At The Existentialist Café" is a non-fiction book that explores the lives and ideas of a group of philosophers known as the existentialists. The book takes readers on a journey through the cafes of Paris in the 1930s and 40s, where philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty would gather to discuss their ideas about freedom, being, and the meaning of life. Bakewell weaves together their personal stories, philosophical theories, and the historical context in which they lived, to create a compelling and accessible introduction to existentialism.

   The 6261st Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. Humanly Possible

   Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Freethinking, Inquiry, and Hope

   

   The book explores the history and evolution of humanism, tracing its roots from ancient times to the present day. It delves into the lives and ideas of influential thinkers who have shaped humanist thought, emphasizing the importance of reason, empathy, and the pursuit of knowledge. Through engaging narratives and insightful analysis, the book highlights how humanism has contributed to cultural and intellectual advancements, advocating for a worldview that celebrates human potential and the interconnectedness of all people.

   The 17152nd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

3. 3. How To Live

   A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer

   

   The book explores the life and philosophy of Michel de Montaigne, a 16th-century French philosopher known for his influential essays. Through a series of engaging chapters, each addressing a different question about how to live, the author delves into Montaigne's thoughts on topics such as friendship, happiness, and mortality. The narrative weaves together historical context, personal anecdotes, and philosophical insights, offering readers a rich tapestry of Montaigne's ideas and their relevance to modern life. The book serves as both a biography and a guide to living thoughtfully and authentically.

4. 4. Cómo Vivir. Una Vida Con Montaigne

   Una Vida Con Montaigne

   

   This engaging exploration delves into the life and philosophy of the 16th-century French philosopher Michel de Montaigne, offering insights into his timeless wisdom on how to live well. Through a series of essays, the narrative weaves together Montaigne's reflections on human nature, personal freedom, and the art of living, drawing connections between his thoughts and contemporary life. The book serves as both a biography and a guide, inviting readers to ponder life's complexities and embrace the beauty of uncertainty with curiosity and openness.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org
5. 5. De Humanisten

   A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer

   

   A lively, accessible narrative that traces mid-20th-century existentialist thinkers through their lives, friendships and historical moments, explaining central themes — freedom, responsibility, authenticity, anxiety — in plain language; by following figures such as Sartre, de Beauvoir and Camus in Paris cafés, wartime resistance and postwar debates, the book intertwines biography, intellectual history and anecdote to show how personal choices and political commitments shaped their ideas and to present existentialism as a humane, practical response to modern crises.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org