Overview
A major study of both the written and pictorial work of a neglected genius whose breadth of interest made him the last Renaissance man - Fully examines every area of Kircher's wide field of study and accomplishments - Magnificently illustrated with stunning engravings from Kircher's work Jesuit, linguist, archaeologist, and exceptional scholar, Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680) was the last true Renaissance man. To Kircher the entire world was a glorious manifestation of God. His exploration was both a scientific quest and a religious experience. Credited with being the first Egyptologist, his works on Egyptology, music, optics, magnetism, geology, and comparative religion were the definitive texts of their time--and yet they represent only a part of his vast range of knowledge. A Christian Hermeticist in the style of Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola, his work also examined alchemy, the Kabbalah, and the Egyptian mystery tradition exemplified by Hermes Trismegistus. The Hermetic cast of Kircher's thought, which was foreign to the concerns of those propelling the Age of Reason, coupled with the breadth of his interests, caused many of his contributions to be widely overlooked--an oversight now masterfully rectified by Joscelyn Godwin. It has been said that Kircher could think only in images. The stunning engravings that are a distinguishing feature of his work are included here so we may fully appreciate and see for ourselves the life work, philosophy, and achievements of ""the last man who knew everything.""
Full Product Details
Author: Joscelyn Godwin
Publisher: Inner Traditions International
Imprint: Inner Traditions International
Edition: 2nd ed.
Dimensions:
Width: 25.40cm
, Height: 2.50cm
, Length: 27.90cm
Weight: 1.724kg
ISBN: 9781620554654
ISBN 10: 1620554658
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 28 December 2014
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
A valuable addition to the history and philosophy of science shelves, offering valuable insight into the life of one of the world's last true polymaths. --C. G. Wood, Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries The author and the publisher have taken real, prolonged, and exhaustive pains to make a beautiful book, and succeeded. --Philip Pullman, The Guardian
The author and the publisher have taken real, prolonged, and exhaustive pains to make a beautiful book, and succeeded. --Philip Pullman, The Guardian A valuable addition to the history and philosophy of science shelves, offering valuable insight into the life of one of the world's last true polymaths. --C. G. Wood, Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries
A valuable addition to the history and philosophy of science shelves, offering valuable insight into the life of one of the world's last true polymaths. -- C. G. Wood, Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries The author and the publisher have taken real, prolonged, and exhaustive pains to make a beautiful book, and succeeded. -- Philip Pullman, The Guardian
Author Information
Educated at Cambridge and Cornell, Joscelyn Godwin, Ph.D., is a professor of music at Colgate University and the author, editor, and translator of many books on Hermeticism and music, including Cosmic Music, The Golden Thread, The Harmony of the Spheres, Arktos, and Atlantis and the Cycles of Time. Known for his translations of the works of Fabre d'Olivet and Julius Evola as well as Francesco Colonna's Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, he lives in Hamilton, New York.
