The Age of Secrecy : Jews, Christians, and the Economy of Secrets, 1400–1800

The fifteenth through the eighteenth centuries were truly an Age of Secrecy in Europe, when arcane knowledge was widely believed to be positive knowledge that extended into all areas of daily life, from the economic, scientific, and political spheres to the general activities of ordinary people. So asserts Daniel Jütte in this engrossing, vivid, and award-winning work. He maintains that the widespread acceptance and even reverence for this “economy of secrets” in premodern Europe created a highly complex and sometimes perilous space for mutual contact between Jews and Christians. Surveying the interactions between the two religious groups in a wide array of secret sciences and practices—including alchemy, cryptography, medical arcana, technological and military secrets, and intelligence—the author relates true stories of colorful “professors of secrets” and clandestine encounters. In the process Jütte examines how our current notion of secrecy is radically different in this era of WikiLeaks, Snowden, et al., as opposed to centuries earlier when the truest, most important knowledge was generally considered to be secret by definition. The Fifteenth Through The Eighteenth Centuries Were Truly An Age Of Secrecy In Europe, When Arcane Knowledge Was Widely Believed To Be Postive Knowledge That Extended Into All Areas Of Daily Life, From The Economic, Scientific, And Political Spheres To The General Activities Of Ordinary People. So Asserts Daniel Jütte In This Engrossing, Vivid, And Award-winning Work. He Maintains That The Widespread Acceptance And Even Reverence For This Economy Of Secrets In Premodern Europe Created A Highly Complex And Sometimes Perilous Space For Mutual Contact Between Jews And Christians. Surveying The Interactions Between The Two Religious Groups In A Wide Array Of Secret Sciences And Practices - Including Alchemy, Cryptography, Medical Arcana, Technological And Military Secrets, And Intelligence - The Author Relates True Stories Of Colorful Professors Of Secrets And Clandestine Encounters. In The Process Jütte Examines How Our Current Notion Of Secrecy Is Radically Different In This Era Of Wikileaks, Snowden, Et Al., As Opposed To Centuries Earlier When The Truest, Most Important Knowledge Was Generally Considered To Be Secret By Definition. -- From Dust Jacket. Chapter 1. The Age Of Secrecy -- Chapter 2. Masters Of The Arcane And Their Métiers -- Chapter 3. Zones Of Interaction: The Case Of Magic -- Chapter 4. Trading In Secrets And Economic Life -- Chapter 5. Abramo Colorni, Professor Of Secrets -- Chapter 6. The Culture And Crisis Of Secrecy. Daniel Jütte ; Translated From The German By Jeremiah Riemer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The fifteenth through the eighteenth centuries were truly an Age of Secrecy in Europe, when arcane knowledge was widely believed to be positive knowledge which extended into all areas of daily life. So asserts Daniel JÃ1⁄4tte in this engrossing, vivid, and award-winning work. He maintains that the widespread acceptance and even reverence for this “economy of secrets” in premodern Europe created a highly complex and sometimes perilous space for mutual contact between Jews and Christians. Surveying the interactions between the two religious groups in a wide array of secret sciences and practices, the author relates true stories of colorful “professors of secrets” and clandestine encounters. In the process JÃ1⁄4tte examines how our current notion of secrecy is radically different in this era of WikiLeaks, Snowden, etc., as opposed to centuries earlier when the truest, most important knowledge was generally considered to be secret by definition.