In this Book
- Books of Secrets: Natural Philosophy in England, 1550-1600
- Book
- 2010
- Published by: University of Illinois Press
summary
How cultural categories shaped--and were shaped by--new ideas about controlling nature
Ranging from alchemy to necromancy, "books of secrets" offered medieval readers an affordable and accessible collection of knowledge about the natural world. Allison Kavey's study traces the cultural relevance of these books and also charts their influence on the people who read them. Citing the importance of printers in choosing the books' contents, she points out how these books legitimized manipulating nature, thereby expanding cultural categories, such as masculinity, femininity, gentleman, lady, and midwife, to include the willful command of the natural world.
Table of Contents
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- Table of Contents
- pp. vii-viii
- Acknowledgments
- pp. ix-x
- Chapter One: Printing Secrets
- pp. 9-31
- Conclusion: A Secret by Any Other Name
- pp. 156-160
- Bibliography
- pp. 187-194
Additional Information
ISBN
9780252091599
Related ISBN(s)
9780252032097
MARC Record
OCLC
811409165
Pages
216
Launched on MUSE
2013-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No
Copyright
2007