Synopses & Reviews
Charles Babbage is well described as the "pioneer of the computer", but he was far more than this: his mathematic, scientific, and engineering work is highly significant for its original approach to problem-solving while the economic, political, and theological writings show an incisive appreciation of contemporary debate, and justify the growing consensus which judges Babbage to be one of the most important and rigorous intellectual polymaths of his age.
This edition contains his two major papers: n essay on the calculus of functions, which established his reputation as a mathematician, and On the economy of machinery manufacturers, which was the first work of its kind to concentrate on the manufacturing industry-a turning point in economic writing.
The New York University Press edition includes a comprehensive general introduction in Volume I. Textual notes by leading international experts in the field of Babbage scholarship, such as Professor I. Bernard Cohen, Emeritus Professor of the History of Science, University of Sydney; and Dr. J. A. M. Dubey, Dean of Engineering at the Polytechnic of the South bank, consider the world spectrum of the writings and put the works in context.
All new texts are brought together by a comprehensive index providing easy reference to the complete works- a facility which will allow the integration of Babbage scholarship for the first time. In addition to the standard pagination, the original page numbers have been retained to allow access from contemporary sources. there is also a comprehensive bibliography if works cited in the text- an essential reference tool for any serious scholar. The Works are illustrated throughout with the original diagrams, graphs, and line drawings. Volume 3 also contains 15 plates from Babbage's Calculating Engines (1889).
Review
"If anyone still questions the power which myth exercises over the human mind, he should read The Occult Rules of Nazism." -Anthony Storr,
Review
"An extensive survey of . . . theosophy, astrology, and `ariosophy' (Aryan-racist-occult theories) . . . An intriguing study of apocalyptic fantasies." -Times Literary Supplement,
Review
"If anyone still questions the power which myth exercises over the human mind, he should read The Occult Rules of Nazism."
"An extensive survey of . . . theosophy, astrology, and `ariosophy' (Aryan-racist-occult theories) . . . An intriguing study of apocalyptic fantasies."
Synopsis
Nearly half a century after the defeat of the Third Reich, Nazism remains a subject of extensive historical inquiry, general interest, and, alarmingly, a source of inspiration for resurgent fascism in Europe. Goodrick-Clarke's powerful and timely book traces the intellectual roots of Nazism back to a number of influential occult and millenarian sects in the Habsburg Empire during its waning years. These sects combined notions of popular nationalism with an advocacy of Aryan racism and a proclaimed need for German world-rule.
This book provides the first serious account of the way in which Nazism was influenced by powerful millenarian and occult sects that thrived in Germany and Austria almost fifty years before the rise to power of Adolf Hitler.
These millenarian sects (principally the Ariosophists) espoused a mixture of popular nationalism, Aryan racism, and occultism to support their advocacy of German world-rule. Over time their ideas and symbols, filtered through nationalist-racist groups associated with the infant Nazi party, came to exert a strong influence on Himmler's SS.
The fantasies thus fueled were played out with terrifying consequences in the realities structured into the Third Reich: Auschwitz, Sobibor, and Treblinka, the hellish museums of Nazi apocalypse, had psychic roots reaching back to millenial visions of occult sects. Beyond what the TImes Literary Supplement calls an intriguing study of apocalyptic fantasies, this bizarre and fascinating story contains lessons we cannot afford to ignore.
Synopsis
Reveals how Nazism was influenced by powerful occult sects that thrived in Germany and Austria almost fifty years before Hitler's rise to power
Over half a century after the defeat of the Third Reich, Nazism remains a subject of extensive historical inquiry, general interest, and, alarmingly, a source of inspiration for resurgent fascism around the world. Goodrick-Clarke's powerful and timely book traces the intellectual roots of Nazism back to a number of influential occult and millenarian sects in the Habsburg Empire during its waning years. These millenarian sects--principally the Ariosophists--espoused a mixture of popular nationalism, Aryan racism, and occultism to proclaim their advocacy of German world-rule. Over time their ideas and symbols, filtered through nationalist-racist groups associated with the nascent Nazi party, came to exert a strong influence on Himmler's SS.
The fantasies thus fueled were played out with terrifying consequences in the realities structured into the Third Reich: Auschwitz, Sobibor, and Treblinka--the hellish museums of Nazi apocalypse--had psychic roots reaching back to the millenarian visions of these occult sects. Beyond what the Times Literary Supplement calls "an intriguing study of apocalyptic fantasies," this bizarre and fascinating story contains lessons we cannot afford to ignore.
About the Author
Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke is the author of several books on ideology and the Western esoteric tradition, including Hitlers Priestess and The Occult Roots of Nazism, which has remained in print since its publication in 1985 and has been translated into eight languages. He writes regularly for European and US Journals and has contributed to several films on the Third Reich and World War II.