In "Leviathan", Hobbes argues that human beings are first and foremost concerned with their own individual desires and fears. He shows that a conflict of each against every man can only be avoided by the adoption of a compact to enforce peace. The compact involves giving up some of our natural freedom to a sovereign power which will enforce the laws of peace on all citizens. Hobbes also analyses the subversive forces - religion, ambition, private conscience - that threaten to destroy the body politic, Leviathan itself, and return us to the state of war. In this age of twenty-four hour news and information saturation, it is more important than ever to not only question, but to also think critically about what we read every day. To that end, Gateway proudly introduces "The Skeptical Reader Series". This series will take a discerning look at the original texts of some of the most infamous, yet widely-taught, texts in modern academia. Kicking off the series will be "The Communist Manifesto", followed by "Das Kapital", "The State and Revolution", "Leviathan" and "The Social Contract". Each volume will be introduced by an essay from a prominent scholar who will offer a skeptical critique of the author's arguments and assertions. "The Skeptical Reader Series" is perfect for academia, as well as for anyone who relishes a politically incorrect point of view.