Faustus : The Life and Times of a Renaissance Magician

Five hundred years ago a legend was born. The seeker after forbidden knowledge is lured into signing a pact with the Devil. He enjoys the fruits of his deal in wild adventures, riotous high-living and in the arms of beautiful women, but cannot escape his end in the fiery clutches of Satan. That is the story that has inspired genius, high art and popular culture around the world, from Beethoven to Cradle of Filth. Hundreds of performances of Goethe's Faust are staged nightly. Souls are even put up for auction on eBay. The legend of Faustus has assumed a life of its own. But is it the real story? In the first major biography in five hundred years, Dr Ruickbie reveals the truth behind the infamous legend and uncovers the true identity of the man who scandalised sixteenth century Europe. Against all our wildest imaginings Faustus was not a charlatan, nor was he in league with the Devil. We should not think of him as the pact scribbling diabolist, but as a renaissance magician, albeit controversial and condemned by his peers. In an age of spiritual hunger, economic collapse, war and prophecies of doom – an age not unlike the Renaissance – it is a story for our times. Five Hundred Years Ago The Legend Was Born Of A Man Who Sold His Soul To The Devil For Power, Wealth And Women. It Is A Legend That Has Inspired Genius And Still Inspires High Art And Popular Culture Alike. Around The World There Are Hundreds Of Nightly Performances Of Geothe's Faust, As Well As Actual Attempts At Soul-selling On Ebay. Faustus Has Rightly Been Described As An 'icon Of Modern Culture'. But In 500 Years No One Has Written His Biography - Until Now. 'faustus' Is The Real Story Behind The Legend. It Is The Story Of A Sixteenth-century Scandal, Of A Man Who Claimed Mastery Of The Forbidden Magical Arts And Dared To Rival The Miracles Attributed To Jesus. He Evoked Uproar And Was Accused Of Heinous Crimes. But Faustus Was Not A Charlatan; Nor Was He In League With The Devil. To Find The Real Faustus Is To Find The True History Of His Age, And Leo Ruickbe Expertly Takes The Reader On A Tour Of War-torn Italy, Reformation Wittenberg And The Magnificence Of Charles V's Court. The Life Of The Legend Becomes As Real As Any Living Person. Around the world there are hundreds of nightly performances of Goethe’s Faust as well as actual attempts at soul-selling on eBay. Faustus has rightly been described as an icon of modern culture. But in 500 years no one has written his biography—until now. Faustus is the real story behind the legend. It is the story of a 16th-century scandal, who claimed mastery of the forbidden magical arts and dared rival all of the miracles attributed to Jesus. He evoked uproar and was accused of the worst crimes. But Faustus was not a charlatan, nor was he in league with the devil. To find the real Faustus is to find the real history of his age, and to take a tour from alchemical labs in princely dungeons to war-torn Italy, Martin Luther’s Reformation Wittenberg, and the magnificence of Charles V’s court. The life of the legend becomes as real as any living person