Eminencia Gris by Aldous Huxley - Hardcover - 1941 - from Libreria ...
Eminencia Gris Aldous Huxley Pdf Download 2l - A Biography of a Secret Power Behind the Throne
Have you ever heard of Eminencia Gris by Aldous Huxley? It is a fascinating book that tells the story of one of the most influential and mysterious figures in history: François Leclerc du Tremblay. He was a French monk who served as the advisor and confidant of Cardinal de Richelieu, the chief minister of King Louis XIII. He was so powerful and secretive that he was nicknamed l'éminence grise, or "the grey eminence".
Eminencia Gris Aldous Huxley Pdf Download 2l
In this article, I will give you an overview of this book and its author. I will also tell you more about Tremblay's life and career, his spiritual journey and influence, his political involvement and role, and how he shaped the course of history. I will also summarize and analyze the book, its background and context, its reception and criticism, and its main theme and message. Finally, I will show you how you can download the PDF version of the book for free. So, if you are interested in learning more about this intriguing book and its subject, keep reading!
Introduction
Eminencia Gris is a book by Aldous Huxley, published in 1941. It is a biography of François Leclerc du Tremblay, the French monk who served as advisor to Cardinal de Richelieu and was referred to by others as l'éminence grise. As the subtitle indicates, Huxley is asking "What is religion?", "What is politics?" and "How are religion and politics related?"
François Leclerc du Tremblay was born in 1577 and died in 1638. He was a prominent member of the Franciscan order, also known as the Capuchins. He was a devout and ascetic man, who devoted his life to prayer and meditation. He was also a prolific writer and teacher on mysticism, influenced by Benet of Canfield, an English mystic. He believed that he could achieve a direct union with God through contemplation and detachment from worldly affairs.
However, he also became involved in politics, as he befriended Cardinal de Richelieu, the chief minister of King Louis XIII. He became Richelieu's trusted confidant and agent, carrying out secret missions and negotiations on his behalf. He helped Richelieu to consolidate his power and to pursue his ambitious foreign policy. He was instrumental in shaping the fate of France and Europe during the Thirty Years' War. He was so influential and secretive that he was nicknamed l'éminence grise, or "the grey eminence", by his contemporaries.
The main theme of the book is the contrast and conflict between Tremblay's spiritual aspirations and his political actions. Huxley depicts Tremblay as a tragic figure, who tried to reconcile his faith and his modern spirit, but ended up betraying both. Huxley criticizes Tremblay for subordinating his direct mystical experience to a personalized theology, and for using his religious authority to justify his political intrigues. Huxley also explores the relationship between religion and politics, and how they can be used for good or evil.
If you want to read this book, you can download the PDF version for free from this link: https://zoboko.com/book/v0e8l030/eminencia-gris. This is a Spanish translation of the original English version. You can also find other formats and languages of the book online.
The Life and Career of François Leclerc du Tremblay
His Early Years and Education
Tremblay was born in 1577 in Paris, France. He came from a noble family of military tradition. His father was Jean Leclerc du Tremblay, a knight who served under King Henry IV. His mother was Madeleine de Saint-Chamans, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Marie de' Medici.
Tremblay received a classical education at the Jesuit College of Clermont in Paris. He excelled in Latin, Greek, philosophy, theology, and rhetoric. He also developed a keen interest in history, geography, mathematics, astronomy, and music. He was a talented musician who played the lute, the viola da gamba, and the harpsichord.
At the age of 18, he joined the army as a volunteer. He fought in several battles during the French Wars of Religion, which pitted Catholics against Protestants. He distinguished himself for his bravery and skill in combat. He was wounded several times and received several honors and promotions.
His Spiritual Journey and Influence
In 1599, Tremblay decided to leave the army and join the Franciscan order, also known as the Capuchins. He was attracted by their simple and austere lifestyle, their devotion to prayer and meditation, their service to the poor and sick, and their preaching of the gospel. He took the name Joseph du Tremblay.
```html and Ethiopian. He became fluent in several languages, including Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch, and English.
He also devoted himself to prayer and meditation, following the teachings of Benet of Canfield, an English mystic who had converted to Catholicism and joined the Capuchins. Canfield taught that the soul could attain a direct union with God through contemplation and detachment from worldly affairs. He also taught that the soul should use images and symbols to ascend to God, but then discard them once it reached the highest level of mystical experience.
Tremblay was deeply influenced by Canfield's doctrine, and wrote several books and treatises on mysticism, such as The Way of Perfection, The Spiritual Exercises, The Interior Castle, and The Ascent of Mount Carmel. He also taught and guided many other monks and nuns in their spiritual journey. He was regarded as a saintly and learned man by his peers and superiors.
His Political Involvement and Role
In 1616, Tremblay met Cardinal de Richelieu, who was then the secretary of state for foreign affairs. Richelieu was impressed by Tremblay's intelligence, knowledge, eloquence, and piety. He invited him to become his friend and confidant. Tremblay accepted, believing that he could serve God and the Church by helping Richelieu in his political endeavors.
Richelieu soon became the chief minister of King Louis XIII, and the most powerful man in France. He pursued an ambitious foreign policy, aimed at strengthening France's position in Europe and weakening its rivals, especially the Habsburgs of Spain and Austria. He also sought to suppress the internal threats posed by the nobility, the Protestants, and the regional parliaments. He was ruthless and pragmatic in his methods, often resorting to war, intrigue, bribery, censorship, and repression.
Tremblay became Richelieu's trusted agent and advisor, carrying out secret missions and negotiations on his behalf. He used his religious authority and connections to influence other rulers and diplomats. He also used his linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to communicate effectively with different parties. He was instrumental in shaping the fate of France and Europe during the Thirty Years' War, a devastating conflict that involved most of the European powers.
Tremblay was so influential and secretive that he was nicknamed l'éminence grise, or "the grey eminence", by his contemporaries. He wore a simple grey habit of a Capuchin monk, but wielded immense power behind the scenes. He rarely appeared in public or left any written records of his activities. He was feared and respected by many, but also hated and envied by others.
The Book Eminencia Gris by Aldous Huxley
The Background and Context of the Book
Eminencia Gris is a book by Aldous Huxley, published in 1941. It is a biography of François Leclerc du Tremblay, the French monk who served as advisor to Cardinal de Richelieu and was referred to by others as l'éminence grise. As the subtitle indicates, Huxley is asking "What is religion?", "What is politics?" and "How are religion and politics related?"
Aldous Huxley was a British writer who was born in 1894 and died in 1963. He was a prominent member of the famous Huxley family of England, which included several scientists, writers, educators, and philosophers. He was best known for his novel Brave New World (1932), which paints a grim picture of a scientifically organized utopia.
Huxley wrote Eminencia Gris during World War II, when he was living in California in the United States. He had moved there in 1937 with his wife Maria Nys, who was Belgian. He was deeply concerned about the rise of totalitarianism and fascism in Europe, as well as the threat of nuclear war. He was also interested in exploring alternative forms of spirituality and philosophy.
Huxley researched extensively for his book on Tremblay. He consulted various sources, such as historical documents, letters, memoirs, biographies, and chronicles. He also visited some of the places where Tremblay had lived and worked, such as Paris, Rome, and Ratisbon. He tried to be as accurate and objective as possible, but he also added his own interpretation and commentary.
Huxley's perspective and purpose in writing the book were to examine the paradox and tragedy of Tremblay's life and career, and to reflect on the relationship between religion and politics. He wanted to show how Tremblay's spiritual aspirations and political actions were incompatible and contradictory, and how they led him to betray both his faith and his modern spirit. He also wanted to explore how religion and politics can be used for good or evil, depending on the motives and methods of those who practice them.
The Summary and Analysis of the Book
The book is divided into 11 chapters, plus an appendix and notes. It follows a chronological order, covering Tremblay's life from his birth to his death. It also provides some background information on the historical and cultural context of his time. Here is a brief summary and analysis of each chapter:
Chapter 1: Eminencia Gris. This chapter introduces the main subject and theme of the book: François Leclerc du Tremblay, the grey eminence behind Cardinal de Richelieu. It describes how Tremblay was a powerful and secretive figure, who influenced the course of history through his religious and political role. It also explains how Huxley came to be interested in Tremblay's story, and how he researched and wrote his book.
Chapter 2: On the Road to Rome. This chapter recounts Tremblay's journey to Rome in 1625, when he was sent by Richelieu to negotiate with Pope Urban VIII. It shows how Tremblay used his diplomatic skills and religious authority to persuade the Pope to support France's interests against Spain. It also reveals some of Tremblay's personal traits, such as his intelligence, eloquence, piety, courage, humility, and generosity.
Chapter 3: Childhood and Youth. This chapter goes back to Tremblay's early years and education. It describes his birth and family background, his classical education at the Jesuit College of Clermont in Paris, his military service during the French Wars of Religion, and his decision to join the Franciscan order. It shows how Tremblay was a talented and noble young man, who excelled in various fields of knowledge and action.
Chapter 4: The Religious Background. This chapter provides some background information on the religious situation in France and Europe at the time of Tremblay. It explains how the Catholic Church was divided into different factions and movements, such as the Jesuits, the Jansenists, the Quietists, the Mystics, and the Reformers. It also explains how Tremblay was influenced by some of these groups, especially by Benet of Canfield, an English mystic who taught him a way of contemplation and detachment from worldly affairs.
```html and treatises on mysticism, such as The Way of Perfection, The Spiritual Exercises, The Interior Castle, and The Ascent of Mount Carmel. It also describes how he taught and guided many other monks and nuns in their spiritual journey. It shows how Tremblay was regarded as a saintly and learned man by his peers and superiors.
Chapter 6: The Approach to Politics. This chapter traces Tremblay's political involvement and role. It describes how he met Cardinal de Richelieu in 1616, and how he became his friend and confidant. It also describes how he became Richelieu's trusted agent and advisor, carrying out secret missions and negotiations on his behalf. It shows how Tremblay used his religious authority and connections to influence other rulers and diplomats. It also shows how Tremblay helped Richelieu to consolidate his power and to pursue his ambitious foreign policy.
Chapter 7: La Rochelle. This chapter narrates one of Tremblay's most important and controversial missions: the siege of La Rochelle in 1627-1628. La Rochelle was a Protestant stronghold that resisted the authority of the king and the cardinal. Tremblay was sent by Richelieu to persuade the English king Charles I to withdraw his support for the rebels. He succeeded in his mission, but at a high cost: thousands of people died of starvation and disease during the siege, and the Protestant cause was severely weakened in France.
Chapter 8: The Diet of Ratisbon. This chapter narrates another of Tremblay's most important and controversial missions: the Diet of Ratisbon in 1630. The Diet was a meeting of the German princes and the representatives of the emperor Ferdinand II, who were involved in the Thirty Years' War. Tremblay was sent by Richelieu to persuade the Protestant princes to ally with France against the emperor and Spain. He succeeded in his mission, but at a high cost: he provoked the anger and resentment of many Catholics, who saw him as a traitor and a heretic.
Chapter 9: Nothing Fails Like Success. This chapter reflects on the consequences and contradictions of Tremblay's political actions. It shows how Tremblay's success in advancing France's interests and weakening its rivals also resulted in more war, violence, suffering, and instability in Europe. It also shows how Tremblay's political actions conflicted with his spiritual aspirations, and how he tried to justify them with his personalized theology. It shows how Tremblay suffered from remorse and doubt, as he realized that he had betrayed his faith and his modern spirit.
```html and others. It shows how politics and religion can be compatible or incompatible, depending on the motives and methods of those who practice them. It also shows how politics and religion can be used for good or evil, depending on the values and goals of those who use them.
Chapter 11: The Final Scene. This chapter narrates the last years and death of Tremblay. It describes how he retired from politics in 1636, after Richelieu's death. He spent his remaining days in prayer and meditation, trying to atone for his sins and to achieve a direct union with God. He died in 1638, at the age of 61. He was buried in a simple grave, without any pomp or ceremony. He left no heirs or successors, and his name and deeds were soon forgotten by most people.
Appendix. This section contains some additional information and documents related to Tremblay's life and career, such as his genealogy, his correspondence, his writings, his portraits, and his chronology.
Notes. This section contains some notes and references that Huxley used for his book, such as historical sources, biographies, memoirs, letters, and chronicles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Eminencia Gris by Aldous Huxley is a fascinating book that tells the story of one of the most influential and mysterious figures in history: François Leclerc du Tremblay. He was a French monk who served as advisor to Cardinal de Richelieu and was referred to by others as l'éminence grise. He was a powerful and secretive figure, who influenced the course of history through his religious and political role.
The main takeaway from the book is the contrast and conflict between Tremblay's spiritual aspirations and his political actions. Huxley depicts Tremblay as a tragic figure, who tried to reconcile his faith and his modern spirit, but ended up betraying both. Huxley also explores the relationship between religion and politics, and how they can be used for good or evil.
Some of the lessons learned from Tremblay's life are:
The importance of being consistent and authentic in one's beliefs and actions.
The danger of mixing religion and politics without discernment and moderation.
The challenge of balancing one's personal and social responsibilities.
The value of seeking direct mystical experience over personalized theology.
The need for humility and repentance in the face of one's mistakes and sins.
The book is still relevant and interesting today because it raises some important questions about the role of religion and politics in human affairs. It also provides some insights into the historical and cultural context of Tremblay's time. It also showcases Huxley's literary talent and style, as well as his philosophical and spiritual interests.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Eminencia Gris by Aldous Huxley:
What does Eminencia Gris mean?
Eminencia Gris is a Spanish term that means "grey eminence". It refers to someone who is a powerful and influential advisor or confidant behind the scenes, but who is not officially recognized or acknowledged. It originated from the nickname given to François Leclerc du Tremblay, the French monk who served as advisor to Cardinal de Richelieu.
Who was Aldous Huxley?
Aldous Huxley was a British writer who was born in 1894 and died in 1963. He was a prominent member of the famous Huxley family of England, which included several scientists, writers, educators, and philosophers. He was best known for his novel Brave New World (1932), which paints a grim picture of a scientifically organized utopia. He also wrote several other novels, essays, biographies, poems, stories, and scripts.
Who was Cardinal de Richelieu?
Cardinal de Richelieu was a French clergyman and statesman who lived from 1585 to 1642. He was the chief minister of King Louis XIII, and the most powerful man in France. He pursued an ambitious foreign policy, aimed at strengthening France's position in Europe and weakening its rivals, especially the Habsburgs of Spain and Austria. He also sought to suppress the internal threats posed by the nobility, the Protestants, and the regional parliaments. He was ruthless and pragmatic in his methods, often resorting to war, intrigue, bribery, censorship, and repression.
What is mysticism?
Mysticism is a term that refers to the practice and experience of direct communion with God or the ultimate reality. It is found in various religious traditions, such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and others. It usually involves some form of prayer, meditation, contemplation, or detachment from worldly affairs. It also involves some form of knowledge, love, or union with God or the ultimate reality.
What is the Thirty Years' War?
The Thirty Years' War was a devastating conflict that involved most of the European powers from 1618 to 1648. It started as a religious