Product Description
This volume presents the first modern English translation of Iamblichus’ De mysteriis alongside the standard critical edition of the text by Édouard Des Places (Les Belles Lettres, 1966). Iamblichus provides a unique insight into the mystical side of late Neoplatonism, arguing that the only good is union with the gods and that the only route to this divine union is theurgy—religious ritual demonstrating supernatural power. The process of sacrifice, the activities of angels and demons, the meaning of divine possession, and the functioning of oracles are all examined in this extraordinary defense of theurgic mysticism against contemporary critics such as Porphyry. Clarke, Dillon, and Hershbell bring this famous and fascinating text to light through their introduction and extensive notes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent translation, but...
I was very excited to get my copy of this classic work.From all the reviews I read I thought this would be the best version being more accurate in the translation than the previous one. However, I think the translation is a little too literal in some cases which tends to obscure the meaning of the text unless you are familiar with the colloquialisms they are translating.For example they use the phrase "necessity of the Gods" in reference to magical work where other translations use the word "spell" as in magical spell. Although the phrase gives an interesting insight into the thinking of Iamblichus, "necessity of the Gods" doesn't help the lay reader understand what he is talking about in that section.

Overall it is a good translation, but make sure to read other translations as well to get some insight into what Iamblicus is actually trying to say.

Exoteric Manual of Theurgy receives a much needed updating
Before this English translation of Iamblichus' only surviving defense of theurgy, scholars and those few others, curious about such matters had only Taylors' version to refer to. (While I am aware of A. Wilders' translation it suffers from far too many errors to be of much real value). Now Clarke, Dillon, and Hershbell have gifted us with what is sure to be the standard for years to come. That is not to say that Thomas Taylor was not a super-Damion among men. His translation no doubt will remain for years. This due to the fact that Taylor truly understood Theurgy as few other scholars.
So why the need for a new critical translation? Besides the fact that more extant manuscripts were examined than ever before in its preparation, this is a near transparent reading of Iamblichus' intent with clarity and fidelity. Unlike Proclus and many other Platonic fathers, Iamblichus according to Eunapius did not possessed a silver tongue. His writing is at times both tortured and unconventional. Somehow our current team has managed to negotiate many of the traditional Iamblichean hurdles.
The De Mysteriis is a brief examination of noetic or abiding principles of the soul together with proceedingand returning principles. Add to this that based upon the the focused questions from Porphyry, Iamblichus takes on some of the more difficult questions left unanswered by Plotinus. Questions such as the descent of the soul; whether or not the charioteer or One of soul remains undescended. In adddition Iamblichus deals with material sacrifice and its relation to the unmovable Gods, appearances of sound and light and their relation to the quale of beingness, epopteia and the art of Telestai. All thesethorny questions and still more Iamblichus tackles in De Mysteriis.
An absolute must for all Scholarch-mystae! ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Canadian Journal of Urban Research, published by Thomson Gale on June 22, 2005. The length of the article is 534 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Jackson, John M., John M. Bertnick, & Gregory P. Stein: The Mighty Niagara: One River Two Frontiers.(Book Review)
Author: Mark Sproule-Jones
Publication: Canadian Journal of Urban Research (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 14Issue: 1Page: 190(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Very Very Very Good
I highly recommend this book. It was so well written and fun to read I read it in one sitting. Iamblichus writes like your right there with Pythagoras following him in his travels and hearing his teachings in person. This book is almost written similarly to "Footprints of Gautama the Buddha" in that you feel your there with him. I would recommend anyone interested in a fun, informing, and great read to buy this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Providing exhaustive coverage of this continually evolving area of practice, Jackson & Powell on Professional Negligence is the most established and authoritative work on the subject. The 5th edition is divided into two parts, with comprehensive coverage of General Principles in Part 1. Part 2 covers Specific Professions chapter by chapter and includes three new chapters on Financial Services Providers, Information Technology Professionals and Patent Agents. * Contains comprehensive analysis of case law with extensive footnotes * Considers the impact of the Human Rights Act and the Civil Procedure Rules * Fully up to date and supplemented regularly * Lucid explanation from expert authors ... Read more