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Leviathan: or The Matter, Form, and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Thomas Hobbes (Author), James Adams (Narrator), Blackstone Audio, Inc. (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,229 ratings
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The leviathan is the vast unity of the State. But how are unity, peace, and security to be attained? Hobbes’ answer is sovereignty, but the resurgence of interest today in Leviathan is due less to its answers than its methods: Hobbes sees politics as a science capable of the same axiomatic approach as geometry.

Written during the turmoil of the English Civil War, Leviathan was, in Hobbes’ lifetime, publicly burnt and even condemned in Parliament as one of the causes of the Great Fire of London in 1666. Its current appeal lies not just in its elevation of politics to a science, but in its overriding concern for peace, its systematic analysis of power, and its convincing apologia for the then-emergent market society in which we still live.

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  1. Listening Length
    23 hours and 17 minutes
  2. Author
    Thomas Hobbes
  3. Narrator
    James Adams
  4. Audible release date
    August 29, 2011
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Blackstone Audio, Inc.
  7. ASIN
    B005JR93AW
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 23 hours and 17 minutes
Author Thomas Hobbes
Narrator James Adams
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date August 29, 2011
Publisher Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B005JR93AW
Best Sellers Rank #28,441 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#36 in Democracy (Audible Books & Originals)
#99 in Political Science History & Theory
#271 in History & Theory of Politics

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,229 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and an essential read. They describe it as thought-provoking and informative, with complex arguments and structure. Many consider it a great value and free. However, opinions differ on the audio quality, with some finding it convincing and good to listen to as a supplement to reading, while others report skipping or static.

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ReadabilityThought provokingValue for moneySound quality
57 customers mention "Readability"43 positive14 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and a classic. They say it's worth reading if you want to understand how democracies evolved. Many consider it a good reference to have on hand.

"...I will just say that Leviathan is a 5-star classic and worth your time, if you can deal with reading political philosophy...." Read more

"...Essential reading if you want to understand how democracies evolved." Read more

"...So yes this was very interesting." Read more

"...Silly, old English nonsense that is quite well done." Read more

18 customers mention "Thought provoking"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and informative. They say it has complex arguments and structure, making it a good read for social science, economics, and history professionals. The subject matter is interesting, with clear and cogent thinking. Some readers consider it a seminal work in political philosophy.

"...Then the text makes more sense even if wrong headed for a modern audience. Essential reading if you want to understand how democracies evolved." Read more

"...relevant today, but I found the second half to be interesting, and informative on learning some of the thoughts on Christianity learned men, such as..." Read more

"...This book is not your quick weekend read. It is a book with complex arguments and structure. Sit, read and ponder. Enjoy!" Read more

"Interesting insights concerning political attitudes." Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it's a great value and the delivery is fast and free.

"Classic book and it was free. What else do people want. Beggars can't be choosers (that's what my Ma always said)." Read more

"Such an epoch-making master-peace! Must read for any social science, economics and history professional or student...." Read more

"Using book for My Masters Degree in History & Political Science. Great Value" Read more

"It was very fast and FREE, the book was send automatically to my kindle! I recommend this a hundred percent!" Read more

6 customers mention "Sound quality"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the sound quality. Some find the arguments convincing and say it's good to listen to as a supplement to reading. Others mention skipping, static, and monotonous tones.

"...I read, but I think the majority of his arguments are sound and convincing. Five stars, no doubt in my mind...." Read more

"...rest of he book to find it all written in this monotonous, mostly drivling tone, I realized this was an artifact of history only the most ardent..." Read more

"...This product is good to listen to as a supplemental piece to reading Leviathan. Shame on the company for misrepresentating this product...." Read more

"...There is tremendous skipping and the sound has too much static. Unusable. Disk two seems to work normally." Read more

Not what I expected
1 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected
I bought this "NEW" book to add to my library collection, unfortunately it arrived TORN and it looked TRASHED as if someone had a bad semester. WTH
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Ritesh Laud
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hobbes is a lot smarter than I am
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2004
    Verified Purchase
    I finished reading Leviathan a couple months ago, but cringed every time I thought about writing a review. The book is large at over 700 pages and covers so much ground, a review would have to be a book in itself to do it justice. Due to Leviathan's philosophical content and somewhat antiquated language, it's very slow going. Each page needs time to digest.
    So I'm not going to bother writing a real review. I will just say that Leviathan is a 5-star classic and worth your time, if you can deal with reading political philosophy. Hobbes divides the work into four major sections:
    Of Man, in which he discusses human nature and why civilized people prefer peace to war. Here Hobbes establishes the primary reason that people form a government to rule over them: to safeguard them from enemies, both external and internal.
    Of Common-wealth, in which Hobbes first talks about the several forms of government and the pros and cons of each. He then explains the rights that a government has over its people; according to Hobbes, the government can do pretty much anything it wants to. Finally he goes into the things that tend to weaken or dissolve a government.
    Of a Christian Common-wealth, the longest section, in which Hobbes accepts the Bible as the word of God and quotes from it numerous time to bolster his position in support of a powerful government.
    Of the Kingdome of Darknesse, the shortest and strangest section, in which Hobbes veers away from the topic of government and instead focuses on religious practices and beliefs of the day that he deems improper and inconsistent with the Bible.
    It took me months to read this, but I came away with great respect for Hobbes and a better understanding of politics. I can't say that I agree with everything I read, but I think the majority of his arguments are sound and convincing.
    Five stars, no doubt in my mind. But it's a dive into the deep end, so you'll probably only finish it if you really appreciate and enjoy philosophical discussion!
    159 people found this helpful
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  • Robert A Lersch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Seminal book of its type
    Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I read in college and again as a 60 year old. Better second time around when I understood life better. a bit repetitive for modern taste but imagine trying to stay alive during the English civil war. Then the text makes more sense even if wrong headed for a modern audience. Essential reading if you want to understand how democracies evolved.
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  • Richmond
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Time
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Surprisingly easy to read and thought provoking. I shied away from reading non-fiction classics for a long time, but it has been fruitful to give them a go. Even with Leviathan there is plenty to think about and Hobbes explains everything clearly. The first half of the book is about political philosophy and the second half concerns itself with Christian doctrine. You can abridge the work by reading only the first half, which is what schools teach about the work that is relevant today, but I found the second half to be interesting, and informative on learning some of the thoughts on Christianity learned men, such as Hobbes, had considered. For instance, he makes a surprisingly rational case considering what we should trust from the Bible, as well as critical thinking on heaven, hell, and angels/demons. I say surprisingly because those of us who haven't taken the time to read the classics are ignorant to how well thought out are the arguments and weighty considerations of evidence.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • J. Hauck (Guerrilla Reader)
    5.0 out of 5 stars The First Modern Support and Defense of Social Contract Theory
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Review of "Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiastical and Civill (Leviathan)," by Thomas Hobbes (b. 1588- d. 1679). Hobbes was known for his views on how humans could thrive in harmony while avoiding the perils and fear of societal conflict. His experience during a time of upheaval in England influenced his thoughts and beliefs. "All of his works concern the structure of society and legitimate government, and Leviathan is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory when it was written during the English Civil War (1642-1651)." Hobbes believed that peace and effective rule could only be achieved through a strong central government. Leviathan argues for a social contract for the subjects through rule by an absolute sovereign. For example on page 164 in Chapter XXX Of the Office of the Soveraign Representative: "Such as are Necessary: For the use of Lawes, (which are but Rules Authorised) is not to bind the People from all Voluntary actions; but to direct and keep them in such as motion, as not to hurt themselves by their own impetuous desires, rashnesse, or indiscretion, as Hedges are set, not to stop Travellers, but to keep them in the way. And therefore a Law that is not Needful, having not the true End of a Law, is not Good. A Law may be conceived to be Good, when it is for the benefit of the Soveraign; though it be not Necessary for the People; but it is not so. For the good of the Soveraign and People, cannot be separated. It is a weak Soveraign, that has weak subjects; and a weak People, whose Soveraign wanteth Power to rule them at his will. Unnecessary Lawes are not good Lawes; but trapps for Mony; which where the right of Soveraign Power is acknowledged, are superfluous; and where it is not acknowledged, unsufficient to defend the People." It is easy to see how Hobbes has clearly stated his case for central government and strong laws to serve as a bulwark against behavior that could lead to more societal upheaval (among others). As other reviewers have stated this is somewhat difficult reading as it was composed and remains in Old English. The syntax and organization may be different than what the reader may be used to. In the final analysis Leviathan supports the view that a person's moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live. Five stars.
    25 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • César
    1.0 out of 5 stars Defeito no livro
    Reviewed in Brazil on June 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    O livro veio com defeitos graves. Páginas dobradas e coladas umas às outras.
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    César
    1.0 out of 5 stars
    Defeito no livro

    Reviewed in Brazil on June 7, 2021
    O livro veio com defeitos graves. Páginas dobradas e coladas umas às outras.
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  • ShoppingDeern
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gut und heil angekommen
    Reviewed in Germany on November 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Hat alles gut geklappt. Artikel erfüllt sein Zweck.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in Canada on May 31, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting book. I read it once for class, but plan on reading again because it’s very interesting
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  • yoimaren
    5.0 out of 5 stars Go for it
    Reviewed in India on October 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It is a clasic
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  • G. Crackers
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beau travail d'édition
    Reviewed in France on May 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    L'édition Gaskin est exemplaire : une introduction concise mais éclairante, une bonne présentation du texte (pour faciliter la lecture, certains paragraphes sont "titrés" dans les marges). On regrette parfois plus de détails ou d'informations dans les notes, mais il semble que l'éditeur a plutît fait le choix d'être sélectif et d'aller droit à l'essentiel. Le format est maniable, ce qui rend la lecture agréable.
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