‘Even today Les Liaisons remains the one French novel that gives us an impression of danger: it seems to require a label on its cover reserving it for external use only.’ – Jean Giraudoux
Introduction 1. Life of Choderlos de Laclos, 1741-89 2. Life of Choderlos de Laclos, 1789-1803 3. Character of Choderlos de Laclos 4. Minor Works of Choderlos de Laclos 5. The Liaisons Dangereuses. LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES. Publisher’s Note.Editor's Preface. Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Appendix. Bibliography.
Pierre Ambroise François Choderlos de Laclos (1741-1803) was born in Amiens, France. He entered the army at the age of 18 and reached the rank of capitaine-commandant without seeing battle. In 1779 he was sent to the island of Aix, where Les Liaisons Dangereuses was written. He also wrote a treatise on the education of women and on the French military architect Vauban.