De Occulta Philosophia Libri Tres (Studies in the History of Christian Thought, Vol.48) [Library Binding]

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa Von Nettesheim (Author), V. Perrone Compagni (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Studies in the History of Christian Thought, Vol.48 | Publication Date: October 1, 1992

Agrippa's encyclopedic review "De Occulta Philosophia" expressed a fruitful contribution to the Renaissance philosophical discussion concerning the powers of magic and its relationship with religion. Agrippa' s proposal for a discriminating revival of magic tied up directly both with Ficino's and Pico's proclamation of a new "natural" magic and with Reuchlin's statement of the possible fusion of magic and religion. Agrippa aligned himself with this already widespread programme of reforming magic, but he also proposed an original approach, which broadens the ideas found in his sources of forging a much more generalized conception of magic's potentials. This edition of "De Occulta Philosophia" clarifies a number of controversies about the interpretation of this magical work and, more generally, of this Renaissance "magus", in whom scholarly curiosity stands side by side with a thoughtful revision of culture and a commitment, by no means superficial, to the intellectual and religious problems of his time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'"There is enduring interest in Renaissance magic, and scholars will be deeply in the debt of Vittoria Perrone Compagni for providing this splendid new edition of so important a work.'
Alastair Hamilton, "Heythrop Journal, 1994.
'..".is a long...critical edition of one of the most important Renaissance works on magic.'
"Year's Work in Modern Language Studies, 1994.
'..".an edition of the highest caliber.'
Robert Mathiesen, "Gnosis Magazine, 1994.
'"Das besondere Verdienst der neuen Ausgabe besteht m.E. allerdings in der Identifikation und dem Nachweis der Quellen, auf die sich Agrippa st]tzt.'
"Freiburger Zeitschrift f]r Philologie und Theology, 1995.
'"A major work of Renaissance scholarship beautifully achieved.'
"Bibliothhque d'Humanisme et Renaissance, 1993.
'..".this work will have a serious impact on early modern scholarship. ...Perrone Compagni's edition is a work of high scholarship upon which much future research can be built.'
William Newman, "ISIS, 1995.

Language Notes

Text: Latin, English

Product Details

• Library Binding: 660 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004094210
• ISBN-13: 978-9004094215
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,676,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a scholarly edition of this classic., January 31, 2001

By 

J. H. Peterson (Kasson, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: De Occulta Philosophia Libri Tres (Studies in the History of Christian Thought, Vol.48) (Library Binding)

This book should be at the top of the reading list for anyone interested in Western occultism or magic.

The original Latin text of Agrippa's classic is presented along with critical apparatus clearly showing variant readings in the editions. Includes a great introduction (in English) with a detailed analysis of Agrippa's sources and as well as an insightful and in-depth analysis of Agrippa's extensive 1533 expansion and revision of the text. Complete with helpful bibliographies and indices.

The only disappointment I had was the fact that this edition does not include Agrippa's lengthy recantation, which was included in the 1533 edition.

This is one of the most expensive books I've ever bought, but worth the price, especially for those with a command of Renaissance Latin.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get your library to buy this now, November 25, 2001

By 

Christopher I. Lehrich (Quincy, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: De Occulta Philosophia Libri Tres (Studies in the History of Christian Thought, Vol.48) (Library Binding)

If you don't know who Agrippa was, you shouldn't be reading this review, unless you're a librarian who's been asked to buy the volume. Do an author search for "Agrippa occult" and start there.

Now, assuming that you know who Agrippa (1486-1535) was, and roughly what his Occult Philosophy was, let's talk about this volume.

This is a scholarly critical edition. The copious annotations do not so much explain the text as tell you what Agrippa is quoting or referring to, so you can look up more texts. The introduction is functional, but not terribly helpful to the nonspecialist. On the other hand, when I wrote my book on Agrippa, this thing was a constant and trusty companion; boy am I ever glad I shelled out for this!

Agrippa's book itself is obscure and difficult, but at the same time it is the seminal attempt to develop a philosophical framework for magic as a practice. If you just want to read the book, read it in English (buy the Llewellyn edition) unless your Latin is stunningly good. So if you don't already know the book well, you shouldn't be spending money on this.

The editing is meticulous, including constant explications of Agrippa's many references and sources. There is a wonderful index and bibliography, making the volume exceptionally useful -- Agrippa himself is deliberately confusing and at times seems disorganized. On top of everything else, the editor has included angle braces and further notes so that we get a complete edition of the Juvenile Draft (1510) woven into the final edition (1531/33). I can't say enough good things about the edition.

Every library with a serious early modern collection should have this. Brill's books are extremely expensive, of course, but they are permanent. The paper is acid-free, the binding is very toughly stitched, and so forth. If you shell out for this text, you will still have it a long time from now. If you are not in control of a library's budget, though, you'd better try to get your librarian to order this.

In short, this is a volume for a library, a specialist, or a wealthy Latinist. If you are wealthy enough to afford this and just want a cool edition, bear in mind that you can sometimes find Agrippa's _Opera_ in early 17th C editions for about what this volume costs --- no critical material, of course, but pretty. If you have good reason to want a critical edition, though, this one is not likely to be superseded.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Edition. Much Expected., November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: De Occulta Philosophia Libri Tres (Studies in the History of Christian Thought, Vol.48) (Library Binding)

Renaissance Scholarship needed such a critical edition of this work. For deep study on the matter. Undoubtedly, the best edition in the market.