Simone de Beauvoir was among the 20th century''s most influential thinkers. She was a philosopher at the forefront of existentialism, a pioneering thinker on women and feminism in ""The Second Sex"", the writer of prize-winning fiction, an autobiographical writer and a committed political activist. Introducing her life and work in a straightforward, jargon-free way, this guide offers readings of her fiction, explores the many facets of her thought and assesses her contribution to the intellectual debate.

Simone de Beauvoir was among the 20th century''s most influential thinkers. She was a philosopher at the forefront of existentialism, a pioneering thinker on women and feminism in ""The Second Sex"", the writer of prize-winning fiction, an autobiographical writer and a committed political activist. Introducing her life and work in a straightforward, jargon-free way, this guide offers readings of her fiction, explores the many facets of her thought and assesses her contribution to the intellectual debate.