Thomas Hobbes s Leviathan is arguably the greatest piece of political philosophy written in the English language.Written in a time of great political turmoil(Hobbes s life spanned the reign of Charles l ,the Civil Wars,the Commonweaalth and the Protectorate,and the Restoratin),Leviathan is an argument for obedience to authority grounded in analysis of human nature.

Since its fiist pust publication in 1991 Richard Tuck s edition of leviathn has been recognised as the single most accurate and authoritative text,and for this revised edition professor Tuck has provided a much-amplified and expanded introduction,which will provide students unfamiliar with Hobbes with a cogent an accessible introduction to this most challenging of texts.Other vital aids to study include an extensive guide to further reading ,a note on textual matters,a chronology of important events and brief biographies of important persons mentioned in Hobbes s text.

Richard Tuck is Professor of Government at Harvard University.