The Oxford University Studies in the Enlightenment series, previously known as SVEC (Studies on Voltaire and the Eighteenth Century), has published over 500 peer-reviewed scholarly volumes since 1955 as part of the Voltaire Foundation at the University of Oxford. International in focus, Oxford University Studies in the Enlightenment volumes cover wide-ranging aspects of the eighteenth century and the Enlightenment, from gender studies to political theory, and from economics to visual arts and music, and are published in English or French.

1737 was a year in which Voltaire was in great danger from his political enemies and in place of literary work, threw himself into Newtonian metaphysics, focussing on an "Essai sur la nature du feu, et sur sa propagation" for the prestigious Academie des sciences annual essay prize. Clarifying his 'systeme de morale' on human happiness and liberty, Voltaire wrote seven "Discours en vers sur l'homme" and was also inspired to write "Le Songe de Platon", a conte philosophique contesting Plato's social ideas. He also began the tragedy most acclaimed during his lifetime, the classically-inspired "Merope".

Every six seconds-or every two minutes-someone, somewhere, is raped. Such an attack affects the targeted victim, to be sure. But the ripples of pain, tears and trauma spread in exploding, concentric circles outward from the victim to engulf partners, parents, siblings, friends and coworkers in a never-ending cycle of dealing with the aftermath. In FACES OF RAPE, you will meet many hesitant-but brave-spokespersons for those who are often shunned, silenced and forgotten by society. Rape is the one crime that, for some reason, brings shame on its victims, and, too often, congratulatory slaps on the back to its perpetrators. In raw, intense, candid accounts, men and women share their heartbreak, their failures and their triumphs. If you, or someone you know, has been raped, this book will make you angry, and this book will give you hope. Through solidarity-knowing that others have walked where you may be walking and are still here to live, breathe and succeed-you will realize that there is life after rape, and there is strength even after debilitating weakness.