The essential Nostradamus : literal translation, historical commentary, and biography

A Uniquely Serious And Accessible Introduction To The Life And Work Of The Mysterious Sixteenth-century Seer Michel De Nostradamus A Uniquely Serious And Accessible Introduction To The Life And Work Of The Mysterious Sixteenth-century Seer Michel De Nostradamus. From His Predictions About Life And Death In The Middle French Court Of Catherine De' Medici To His Uncannily Suggestive Preconceptions Of World War Ii, Michel De Nostradamus Has Aroused Continual Fascination-and Commercialization-in The West. Today, Many Search His Elliptical Centuries--or Collected Verses-for New Truths About 9/11 And End Times, While Supermarket Tabloids Routinely Falsify And Exploit His Pronouncements.^ What Is The Difference Between Prophecy And Prediction, And How Has It Led To A Misuse Of The Ideas Of Nostradamus, As Well As Those Of Other Post-biblical Prognosticators? What Is The Nature Of The Oracular Tradition In The West-stretching Back To The Oracle At Delphi-and How Can Nostradamus Be Understood From This Perspective? In The Essential Nostradamus, The Highly Regarded Spiritual Thinker And Writer Richard Smoley Provides A True Sourcebook In The Life And Messages Of One Of History's Most Peculiar Figures. This Volume Offers A Host Of Advantages Beyond Other Collections Of Nostradamus's Work. Many Commentators On Nostradamus Take Liberties In Their Translations, Further Confusing The Matter Of What The Prophetic Quatrains Actually Said. In The Essential Nostradamus, Smoley Presents A Fresh, Scholarly, And Literal Translation Of Nostradamus's Middle French, Allowing Readers To Make Their Own Determination As To The Passages' Historical References And Accuracy.^ Smoley Also Supplies Detailed Commentary On Nostradamus's Key Quatrains, With A Sharp Eye Toward The Political And Social Events Of The Writer's Era-elements That Many Commentators Overlook Or Fail To Grasp. An Authoritative Biographical Essay-highlighting Nostradamus's Separate Roles As Physician, Astrologer, And Prognosticator-rounds Out The Volume To Create A Truly Essential Exposition Of The Work Of One Of Western Culture's Most Mysterious Men.--publisher's Website. Introduces The Life And Work Of The Sixteenth-century Physician, Astrologer, And Prognosticator; Explains How His Ideas Have Been Misinterpreted By Many Sources; And Places His Work In The Context Of His Time. By Richard Smoley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [283-287]) And Index. A handsome, compact new edition of the singularly reliable translation of the writings of history's most famous seer-now published with a new afterword on Nostradamus and 2012. The prophecies of Nostradamus have ignited intense fascination throughout the West since they were first published in the sixteenth century. These enigmatic quatrains have gained special meaning for many during our current countdown to the year 2012. The relationship between Nostradamus's prophecies and the Mayan prophecy of 2012 is hotly debated over the Internet and is the focus of today's most popular television documentaries. Now The Essential Nostradamus-the definitive literal translation of his key verses-is redesigned, reset, and repackaged in an affordable and beautifully produced Tarcher Cornerstone Edition. This volume features a brand-new afterword from translator/commentator Richard Smoley, critiquing the Nostradamus legacy in light of the Mayan prophecies about 2012. Smoley is one of today's most respected writers on esotericism, and his new afterword fully (and realistically) assesses the question of Nostradamus's prophecies in relation to 2012, engaging readers who are hungry to learn more and want help sorting fact from fiction. Perfect for any who are curious, and for scholars and students who want to understand the real content of these haunting verses, The Essential Nostradamus is the key sourcebook of its kind. Cover Page......Page 1 Title Page......Page 6 Copyright Page......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 9 Introduction......Page 11 A Prophet’s Life......Page 19 Map of Europe in 1560......Page 50 Historical Note......Page 51 The Prophecies......Page 57 A Note on the Translation......Page 59 Century I......Page 61 Century II......Page 87 Century III......Page 108 Century IV......Page 125 Century V......Page 144 Century VI......Page 167 Century VII......Page 191 Century VIII......Page 197 Century IX......Page 221 Century X......Page 241 Nostradamus and the Uses of Prophecy......Page 265 Notes......Page 289 Suggestions for Further Reading......Page 293 Selected Bibliography......Page 295 Index......Page 299 About the Translator......Page 317 What is the difference between prophecy and prediction, and how has it led to a misuse of the ideas of Nostradamus, as well as those of other post-biblical prognosticators? What is the nature of the prophetic tradition in the West, and how can Nostradamus be understood from this perspective? In The Essential Nostradamus, the highly regarded spiritual thinker and writer Richard Smoley provides a true sourcebook on the life and messages of one of history's most peculiar figures From his uncanny prediction of the death of the French King Henri II in the sixteenth century, to his reputed precognition of World War II, Michel de Nostradamus has aroused continual fascination-and exploitation-in the West. During the Second World War, both the Nazis and the Allies used his prophecies as propaganda. Today, many search his elliptical verses for new truths about 9/11 and the "End Times," while supermarket tabloids routinely falsify his pronouncements