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Was Nostradamus really a man of extraordinary prophetic vision? Or did he
cobble together prophecies current at the time? And how did he survive in the
rigidly Catholic, inquisitorial world of 16th-century Europe? This book
considers Nostradamus's life and work and the medieval world of the time.
The Unknown Nostradamus opens up the still medieval world of the time as well as his life and work. Appendices present a selection of key texts both by and about him, most of which have never before been published in English.
About the Author:
Peter Le Mesurier is widely recognised as the world authority on Nostradamus, and among many titles has authored The Nostradamus Encyclopedia (St Martin's Press), Nostradamus: The Final Reckoning (Piatkus), The Essential Nostradamus (Piatkus), Nostradamus in the 21st Century (Piatkus). Peter lives in Pembroke, Wales.
Review:
"In the wake of September 11, rumors spread that the
famous "prophet of Provence," Nostradamus, had predicted the tragedy. Now
Nostradamus scholar Lemesurier (The Nostradamus Encyclopedia) firmly debunks
this notion, and in light of the astrologer's continuing popularity, seeks to
separate the man from the myth-"the dogmas have to go, the myths have to be
discarded." In turn, he asserts, a "more interesting" man emerges. Lemesurier
places his subject in the context of his time, the 16th century, when war,
famine and plague often ruled, and people turned to books of prophecy for some
sense of certainty about the future. Dismissing the significance of
Nostradamus's predictions, the author argues that they are "generic,"
"deliberately designed... to refer to almost any incident at almost any time."
But interpretations were attempted soon after his death, and a "Nostradamus
industry" began to grow. Lemesurier also offers the first English translations
of some of Nostradamus's nonprophetic writings, thereby giving a more complete
sense of the man and his work. Readers seeking a balanced look at the
controversial astrologer will do well to start here. " - From Publishers
Weekly
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