G. R. S. Mead and the Gnostic Quest (Western Esoteric Masters) [Paperback]

Clare Goodrick-Clarke (Editor, Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Western Esoteric Masters | Publication Date: August 10, 2005

George Robert Stowe Mead (1863-1933) was a major translator, editor, and commentator on Gnostic and hermetic literature and thus a pivotal figure linking the late 19th-century esoteric revival to 20th-century art, literature, and psychology. As a young convert to the new movement of theosophy, he served as private secretary to its co-founder, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, and after founding the European section of the Theosophical Society edited its London journal, Lucifer, for many years. Mead's initial interest in theosophy and Hinduism soon blossomed into a lifelong and wide-ranging engagement with the texts of Gnosticism, neo-Platonism, and hermeticism. His editions and commentaries on previously inaccessible sources became standard works before the First World War and an important source of inspiration to such figures as Jung, Ezra Pound, Yeats, and Robert Duncan. A new entry in the Western Masters Series of concise biographies noting key figures in the Western esoteric tradition, G.R.S. Mead and the Gnostic Quest introduces Mead's life, works, and influences, combining a substantial biography with a collection of his most important writings.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Claire Goodrick-Clarke, a homeopathic practitioner in Devon, England has a long-standing interest in Gnosticism and Western Esotericism. She has published articles on Comenius, Justinus Kerner and the Seeress of Prevost, and G.R.S. Mead, and she is currently working on Samuel Hahnemann and the history and practice of alchemy.

Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, General Editor of the Western Esoteric Masters Series is Professor of Western Esotericism at the University of Exeter and director of its Centre for the Study of Esotericism. He has published studies on Paracelsus, John Dee, Cornelius Agrippa, Emanuel Swedenborg, and Helena Blavatsky. His pioneering work The Occult Roots of Nazism has been translated into nine languages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (August 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155643572X
• ISBN-13: 978-1556435720
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,244,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb work on a much needed topic, January 10, 2006

By 

Dr. C. H. Roberts (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: G. R. S. Mead and the Gnostic Quest (Western Esoteric Masters) (Paperback)

While this book is far from being a full blown biography of Mead, it is the closest thing we have or at least so far as this reviewer is aware. Only the first 32 pages are biographical material but the editors (the Goodrick-Clarke's) have done an excellent job of presenting a concise yet interesting overview of the life and labors of G.R.S. Mead. The remainder of the book provides commentary from the editors and selected quotes from Meads own work on a variety of esoteric and philosophical topics, the most interesting and extensive of which is (quite properly, in this reviewer's estimation) on Gnosticism. Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, September 6, 2011

By 

Simon - See all my reviews

This review is from: G. R. S. Mead and the Gnostic Quest (Western Esoteric Masters) (Paperback)

This gives a good overview with selections from various of Mead's works.

The succint biographical material at the start is also good.

As to G.R.S. Mead himself his esoteric beliefs seriously tainted his ability to accurately represent history.