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Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern
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Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture Paperback - 1996

by William Eamon


From the publisher

By explaining how to sire multicolored horses, produce nuts without shells, and create an egg the size of a human head, Giambattista Della Porta's Natural Magic (1559) conveys a fascination with tricks and illusions that makes it a work difficult for historians of science to take seriously. Yet, according to William Eamon, it is in the "how-to" books written by medieval alchemists, magicians, and artisans that modern science has its roots. These compilations of recipes on everything from parlor tricks through medical remedies to wool-dyeing fascinated medieval intellectuals because they promised access to esoteric "secrets of nature." In closely examining this rich but little-known source of literature, Eamon reveals that printing technology and popular culture had as great, if not stronger, an impact on early modern science as did the traditional academic disciplines.

From the rear cover

'Eamon gives a rich and lively account of authors and writings that were always unacademic, unscrupulous, unprofessional, turbulent, and unsettled; that is to say, an account of the popular or seamy side of medicine and natural knowledge in medieval and early modern times....A book of many unusual topic....Eamon is very learned and writes eloquently.' A.Rupert Hall, Nature

Details

  • Title Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture
  • Author William Eamon
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 512
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Princeton University Press, Ewing, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Date 1996-06-02
  • ISBN 9780691026022 / 0691026025
  • Weight 1.61 lbs (0.73 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.19 x 6.08 x 1.24 in (23.34 x 15.44 x 3.15 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Science - History, Science, Medieval
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 93031794
  • Dewey Decimal Code 509

About the author

William Eamon is Professor of History at New Mexico State University.
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Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture

Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture

by William Eamon

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Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press, 1996. reprint. Softcover. Very Good/None. Softcover, pictorial wraps, 490 pages. By explaining how to sire multicolored horses, produce nuts without shells, and create an egg the size of a human head, Giambattista Della Porta’s Natural Magic (1559) conveys a fascination with tricks and illusions that makes it a work difficult for historians of science to take seriously. Yet, according to William Eamon, it is in the “how-to” books written by medieval alchemists, magicians, and artisans that modern science has its roots. These compilations of recipes on everything from parlor tricks through medical remedies to wool-dyeing fascinated medieval intellectuals because they promised access to esoteric “secrets of nature.” In closely examining this rich but little-known source of literature, Eamon reveals that printing technology and popular culture had as great, if not stronger, an impact on early modern science as did the traditional academic disciplines.… Read More
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Science and the Secrets of Nature
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Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture
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Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture

by William Eamon

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Princeton: Princeton University Press. 5th printing (c.2000). 490pp. Near Fine copy . Near Fine. Soft cover. 1996.
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Science and the Secrets of Nature
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Science and the Secrets of Nature

by Eamon, William

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Princeton University Press, 1996-06-02. paperback. Very Good +/None as issued. 100x18x148. Clean, solid copy with unmarked text. Cover is glossy with light surface and edge wear. Binding is tight and square; no creases to spine or cover. Books that sell for $9 or more ship in a box; under $9 in a bubble mailer. Expedited and international orders may ship in a flat rate envelope rather than a box due to cost constraints. All US-addressed items ship with complimentary delivery confirmation.
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Science and the Secrets of Nature
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Science and the Secrets of Nature

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Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture

Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture

by Eamon, William

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Science and the Secrets of Nature: Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture

by William Eamon

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Science and the Secrets of Nature – Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture (Paper)
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Science and the Secrets of Nature – Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture (Paper)

by William Eamon

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Princeton Univ Pr, 1996. Paperback. New. reprint edition. 490 pages. 9.25x6.25x1.25 inches.
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Science and the Secrets of Nature
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Science and the Secrets of Nature

by Eamon, William

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Science and the Secrets of Nature
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Science and the Secrets of Nature

by Eamon, William

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9780691026022 / 0691026025
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