Montesquieu published 1 novel and 6 non-fiction books, beginning with Persian Letters (1721). The best-known is The Spirit of Laws (1748).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Montesquieu
Start here
The Spirit of Laws
Montesquieu's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Persian Letters (1721)
Non-fiction in order
Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline (1734)
Reflections on the Causes of the Grandeur and Declension of the Romans (1734)
The Spirit of Laws (1748)
The Spirit of the Laws (1748)
Reflections on the Causes of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire (1752)
A View of the English Constitution (1781)
About Montesquieu
Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French jurist, historian, and political philosopher.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Montesquieu FAQ
- How many books has Montesquieu written?
- Montesquieu published 1 novel and 6 non-fiction books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Montesquieu's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Spirit of Laws.
- What is Montesquieu's last book?
- Reflections on the Causes of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire (1752).
- What is Montesquieu's most famous book?
- The Spirit of Laws (1748) is Montesquieu's most widely read book.
Authors like Montesquieu
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.