★★★★★ 5
Probably The Best Introduction to Western Esotericism Available
Format: Hardcover
I recently completed my MA in Western Esotericism at the University of Exeter and studied under Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke. He is the Director of the Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism (EXESESO) at the University of Exeter. This book is structured in the same fashion as the MA program at Exeter and provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics in the field of Western esotericism. The book is chronological and begins in ancient Alexandria, through the Italian Renaissance, post-Reformation Germany and into the Age of Enlightenment. Goodrick-Clarke covers complex topics such as Hermeticism, Neo-Platonism, Alchemy, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism and Theosophy but makes it understandable even to novice readers. The underlying theme behind the subject of Western esotericism is the continuity in the different schools of thought that can be traced though the two thousand period from ancient Alexandria to the present day. This is a subject that has been overlooked for many years due to its association with the occult and magic. Thanks to the work of Goodrick-Clarke and scholars such as Antoine Faivre and Wouter Hanegraaff it is now being given the respect it deserves. This is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in learning more.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2011
