Occult Sciences 2 Volume Set: The Philosophy of Magic, Prodigies and Apparent Miracles

by Eusèbe Salverte, Anthony Todd Thomson (Translator)

This examination of the connection between the belief in miracles and religious practices in ancient times was originally written by French politician and polymath Anne-Joseph-Eusebe Baconniere de Salverte (1771 1839) and published in 1829. In 1846, it was translated into English by a Scottish physician and writer, Anthony Todd Thomson (1778 1849), and published in two volumes. Thomson explains that Salverte's work was an important study of miracles and the power of priests, and he had 'performed a beneficial service in throwing open the gates of ancient sanctuaries'. However, Thomson also states that he differed from Salverte over the idea of the miraculous, and that he had expunged or heavily edited any passages relating to Christianity, even changing 'miracles' in the original subtitle to 'apparent miracles'. Volume 1 deals with human credulity and ancient beliefs in magic. Volume 2 discusses the role of drugs and poison in magic."

804 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2010

Reviews

[Leah Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I downloaded it for free on Google Play Books. It's a very entertaining and informative read. The book goes through different traditions and explains the hidden knowledge used to perform "magic" throughout history. A great book for skeptics that has usefulness for the modern day as well.