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Die Macht des Charlatans
Originally published as “Die Macht des Charlatans”, this first English edition of The Power of the Charlatan by Grete DeFrancesco is a pioneering and engaging theory and history of con artistry, swindling, and charlatanry from the Middle Ages through to the 19th century. A study of how and why people have fallen for various frauds, the text includes treatments on astrology and alchemy as well as some of their more notorious proponents including Cagliostro and the 16th century miracle doctor Leonard Thurneisser, as well as chapters on the use of automata and advertising for trickery. Thoroughly illustrated, the book includes reproductions of various talismans, ads, and historical artwork. As Walter Benjamin, an associate of the author, said at the time, “To write the history of the charlatan is to present the history of advertising.”
Born Margarethe Weissenstein to Jewish parents in Vienna in 1893, the author was the first female graduate from the German Academy for Politics (Deutsche Hochschule für Politik) and wrote her thesis on the rise of Italian fascism in 1931 following her marriage to an Italian engineer. De Francesco wrote for the Frankfurter Zeitung newspaper ahead of the publication of this work in 1937 before fleeing Germany. Captured by the SS in Italy and deported to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp as a political prisoner in 1944, De Francesco died there in February 1945.
This first English edition was translated by Miriam Beard, the daughter of reformers Charles and Mary Beard, a noted historian and one of the first women to graduate from the Columbia School of Journalism.
Born Margarethe Weissenstein to Jewish parents in Vienna in 1893, the author was the first female graduate from the German Academy for Politics (Deutsche Hochschule für Politik) and wrote her thesis on the rise of Italian fascism in 1931 following her marriage to an Italian engineer. De Francesco wrote for the Frankfurter Zeitung newspaper ahead of the publication of this work in 1937 before fleeing Germany. Captured by the SS in Italy and deported to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp as a political prisoner in 1944, De Francesco died there in February 1945.
This first English edition was translated by Miriam Beard, the daughter of reformers Charles and Mary Beard, a noted historian and one of the first women to graduate from the Columbia School of Journalism.
456 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 11, 2018
The charlatan is one who pretends to know what he does not know, boasts abilities that he does not possess and proclaims talents that he lacks.” Sound like someone in the news? I consulted this classic study in order to gain some historical perspective on current events. Read more at bookmanreader.blogspot.com .
June 25, 2022
gruselig, mystisch aber hochinteressant
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews