The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus: Of the Virtues of Herbs, Stones, and Certain Beasts, Also a Book of the Marvels of the World

A compilation from a number of sources by an anonymous author who, according to editors Best and Brightman, probably was one of Albertus Magnus' followers. A collector's item, it has a more colloquial voice than the writing of the true Albertus Magnus and provides an accurate portrayal of the magical culture that predominated in the 16th century. Part of the Weiser Classic Series. Index, Bibliography, 34 woodcut illustrations. "In order to attract readers, it was not uncommon for magical texts of the 16th century to take on the name of a notable historical figure. Such is the case with The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus, whose secrets are, in fact, a compilation from a number of sources by an anonymous author who was, according to editors Best and Brightman, probably one of Albertus Magnus' followers. Though it "...pretends to be a product of his experimental school among the Dominicans at Cologne," it has a more colloquial voice than that of Albertus Magnus. It more accurately portrays the popular magical literature available in the 16th century than the erudite works directly attributable to Albertus Magnus." "Albertus Magnus (d. 1279) is known as one of the foremost alchemists of the 13th century. After a career in the church that culminated with his appointment as Bishop of Ratisbon, Albertus retired to Cologne to devote his life to his research. According to one account, he is purported to have created the Philosopher's Stone, delivering it, shortly before his death, to his student, St. Thomas Aquinas. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET Contents ......Page 3 List of Illustrations ......Page 4 1. The Nature and Origin of The Book of Secrets ......Page 5 2. The Book of Secrets and the Elizabethans......Page 9 3. The Background of Ideas and the Development of Natural Science ......Page 15 4. The Text ......Page 21 THE BOOK OF SECRETS OF ALBERTUS MAGNUS ......Page 24 The First Book of the Virtues of Certain Herbs ......Page 25 The Second Book, of the Virtues of Certain Stones ......Page 36 The Third Book, of the Virtues of Certain Beasts ......Page 49 A Short Discourse of the Nature, and Qualities of the Seven Planets ......Page 55 The Book of the Marvels of the World ......Page 61 List of Works Cited in the Notes to the Text ......Page 80 Collation ......Page 81 Index ......Page 83 The First Paperback Edition of The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus is a compilation taken several 16th century magical texts by one of Albertus Magnus's followers. It provides a very accurate picture of the magical culture that predominated in the 16th century.