<b>A rich, strange anthology of the Western magical tradition, from the Old Testament to<i>Doctor Faustus</i> and <i>Paradise Lost</i>, in a beautiful hardcover edition</b><br><br>This wondrous collection celebrates the surprising roots of magical practice. Unexpectedly, the Bible is full of stories featuring forms of magic and possession—from Joseph battling with Pharaoh’s wizards to the supernatural actions of Jesus and his disciples. As, over the following centuries, the Christian church attempted to stamp out “deviant” practices, there was a persistent interest in magic that drew strength from this Biblical validation. A strange blend of mumbo-jumbo, fraud, and deeply serious study, magic was central to the European Renaissance, fascinating many of its greatest figures.<br><br>Brian Copenhaver’s wonderful anthology is perfect for both those with a casual interest in the magical tradition and those drawn to the Renaissance and the tangled, arcane roots of the scientific tradition.<br><br>For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.<br><p></p>