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The Political History of the Devil Kindle Edition

by Daniel Defoe (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 16 ratings
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Irreverent and ironic, this 1726 satire by the author of Robinson Crusoe examines the evolution of evil and the rise of the historical force known as "the devil." Daniel Defoe's passionate and perceptive survey starts with Satan's origins, chronicling the devil's presence in the Bible and his growing sway over humanity. An overview of satanic influences on eighteenth-century life follows, focusing on monarchs and tyrants as well as common folk. Defoe supports his arguments not only with extensive quotes from scripture but also with citations from other sources, including Milton's Paradise Lost.
Written at the dawn of the Enlightenment, this treatise recaptures a moment in time when widespread certainty of the devil's existence was dwindling. Defoe, a firm believer, posits that the devil reacted to the changing times by shifting his influence from the supernatural realm of witches and wizards to the ordinary world of "beaus, beauties, wits, and fools." This intriguing view of politics and society during the 1700s offers a vivid contemporary portrait of a culture torn between theology and reason.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Dover Publications
  5. Publication date
    February 17, 2016
  6. File size
    790 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Irreverent and ironic, this 1726 satire by the author of Robinson Crusoe examines the evolution of evil and the rise of the historical force known as "the devil." Daniel Defoe's passionate and perceptive survey starts with Satan's origins, chronicling the devil's presence in the Bible and his growing sway over humanity. An overview of satanic influences on eighteenth-century life follows, focusing on monarchs and tyrants as well as common folk. Defoe supports his arguments not only with extensive quotes from scripture but also with citations from other sources, including Milton's Paradise Lost.
Written at the dawn of the Enlightenment, this treatise recaptures a moment in time when widespread certainty of the devil's existence was dwindling. Defoe, a firm believer, posits that the devil reacted to the changing times by shifting his influence from the supernatural realm of witches and wizards to the ordinary world of "beaus, beauties, wits, and fools." This intriguing view of politics and society during the 1700s offers a vivid contemporary portrait of a culture torn between theology and reason.
Dover (2016) republication of the edition originally printed for To Warner, London, 1726.
See every Dover book in print at
www.doverpublications.com

About the Author

After exploring several careers — as a merchant, manufacturer, insurer, and spy — Daniel Defoe found his true calling. A prolific writer who published over 500 novels, travel guides, pamphlets, and journals on subjects from economics to the supernatural, Defoe achieved immortality with his 1719 novel, Robinson Crusoe.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01HRHZXIW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; First Edition, First (February 17, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 17, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 790 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 16 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
16 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A philosophical exploration of human nature vs. "'the devil - in which humans come on the wrong end
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
A critical review of the human psyche, where in which "the devil" is not only a human invention, but seems to be the lesser of two evils, namely, human nature begets more evil than "the devil".
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Mauricio Fleury da Silveira
4.0 out of 5 stars Once again a fantastic choice
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
Thanks for a great experience.
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CHO WON KYUNG
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2014
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TRIPLE EXCELLENT!!!
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golfoholic
4.0 out of 5 stars Multifaceted
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2015
Verified Purchase
Interesting view from the author of Robison Crusoe. Gives you sense of deep thought
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Matthew S. Schweitzer
4.0 out of 5 stars Defoe's Demonology
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2004
Daniel Defoe's "Political History of the Devil" was first published in 1726 and is part of a trilogy of books Defoe wrote towards the end of his life that address various occult subjects. Here Defoe specifically discusses the history and influence of the Archfied, Satan, and his impact on human history.

Defoe was a literal believer in the existence of the Devil as an agent of evil whose ultimate aim was the damnation of all mankind. Defoe credits Old Scratch with guiding the events of history and the lives of men in order to ensure their spiritual damnation would parallel that of his own. Defoe also criticizes the widespread disbelief in spirits and witches that defined his own age in terms of skepticism of the existence of malefic magic. He quotes biblical scripture at length to support his beliefs and critiques extra-biblical sources on the history of the Devil, particularly Milton's "Paradise Lost". Defoe argues that though ultimately subordinate to God, Satan's influence is pervasive amongst man.

Defoe's works on demonology and the occult are seemingly at odds with his earlier works that embrace rationalism, but it can be argued that his theological and diabolical beliefs can help put an interesting perspective on his earlier works. Though largely derivative of serveral important contemporary works on demonology and the occult, such as Joseph Glanvil's and John Beaumont's, Defoe's works are interesting and provide an intruiging look into the mind and beliefs of early 18th century society, one in which a belief in the powers of darkness was fading, but not yet extinguished.
18 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Steven
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
Good read
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