A multi-faceted story of heroes and villains, mystics and sceptics, earnest seekers of truth and charlatans, a narrative that bristles with the names of remarkable scholars, many famous, some now obscure.

Between the Renaissance and the Enlightenment Europe changed out of all recognition as thinkers were driven by a passionate quest for knowledge. Alongside monumental scientific discoveries such as how blood moves around the body, that the Earth revolves around the Sun and why objects fall, traditional faith flourished and there was an almost universal belief in horoscopes and magic.

Contrary to popular belief, there was no real conflict between faith and reason as philosophers, mystics, magicians, theologians and scientists jostled each other in a hectic pursuit of 'truth'.

The first use of the word 'science' in its modern sense was recorded in 1725, only nine years after the last witch had been executed in Britain. Within a few years, Wesley and Whitfield were leading religious campaigns that profoundly influenced western society. The relationship between what people 'believed' and what they 'knew' had not been finally resolved. But most of the important questions had been posed and debated throughout the preceding three centuries.

'A rich and interesting book'
Kostas Kampourakis, Springer Nature

Covers a lot of ground without being superficial . . . a rich and interesting book