Description
Book SynopsisRevision of the author's thesis (doctoral)--Warburg Institute, 2011.
Trade Review"What is refreshing in Ossa-Richardson's approach is that it is free of the smugness, born of hindsight and sense of historical superiority, that is exhibited by many historians when looking back on past scholarly controversies."--Clive Prince, Magonia Review of Books "Ossa-Richardson has used the pagan oracles to rewrite an important part of early modern intellectual history. His erudition and judgment seem exemplary, and his book should be held up as a monument of modern learning and discretion."--H. C. Erik Midelfort, Renaissance Quarterly "Ossa-Richardson's book should become a foundational work for exploring the changing shape of the relationship between erudition and cultural change, as well as for understanding the changing perceptions of the history of religion, and by consequence the development of a critique of contemporary religions."--Justin Champion, Reviews in History "This is an erudite, complicated and ultimately rewarding book."--Michael Hunter, European History Quarterly
Table of ContentsList of Plates ix Acknowledgements xi INTRODUCTION 1 PART ONE 11 CHAPTER ONE Authorities 13 CHAPTER TWO Demons 46 PART TWO 83 CHAPTER THREE Nature 87 CHAPTER FOUR Imposture 136 PART THREE 203 CHAPTER FIVE Enlightenment? 205 CHAPTER SIX Solutions 247 CONCLUSION Les lauriers sont coupes 285 Bibliography 291 Index 327
