This is the third edition of a classic book first published in 1960, whichhas sold thousands of copies in two paperback edition and has been translatedinto several foreign languages. Popkin's work has generated innumerablecitations, and remains a valuable stimulus to current historical research. Inthis updated version, he has revised and expanded throughout, and has addedthree new chapters, one on Savonarola, one on Henry More and Ralph Cudworth, andone on Pascal. This authoritative treatment of the theme of scepticism and itshistorical impact will appeal to scholars and students of early modern historynow as much as ever.