Magic, Science, and Religion in Early Modern Europe

by Mark A. Waddell

From the recovery of ancient ritual magic at the height of the Renaissance to the ignominious demise of alchemy at the dawn of the Enlightenment, Mark A. Waddell explores the rich and complex ways that premodern people made sense of their world. He describes a time when witches flew through the dark of night to feast on the flesh of unbaptized infants, magicians conversed with angels or struck pacts with demons, and astrologers cast the horoscopes of royalty. Ground-breaking discoveries changed the way that people understood the universe while, in laboratories and coffee houses, philosophers discussed how to reconcile the scientific method with the veneration of God. This engaging, illustrated new study introduces readers to the vibrant history behind the emergence of the modern world.

232 pages, Paperback

Published January 28, 2021

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Waddell's writing style is clear and accessible for a wide audience. This text gives a broad view of the movement of philosophical ideas relating to religion and science through 3+ centuries in Europe, which really helped me fill in some gaps--my area of specialization is medieval literature, not history per se. His work has provided some additional avenues of research, so I'm looking forward to that. Recommend, especially, for those who have an interest in the history of science and religion.

[Joakim Wendell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of the intersections between magic, science, and religion in modern Europe. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of science and/or the Enlightenment.