The Road to Delphi: The Life and Afterlife of Oracles
Cultures of all epochs have consulted oracles in times of need. This fascinating exploration of the enduring popularity of oracles examines how they are interpreted and why. Taking examples from literature and history, from the oracles at Delphi to those in Macbeth, and further still to the works of Kafka and Bob Dylan, and even in the film The Matrix, Wood combines storytelling and commentary to provide a lively account of humanity's persistent faith in signs, which continues to exert an important influence on the course of civilization.

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The Road to Delphi: The Life and Afterlife of Oracles
Cultures of all epochs have consulted oracles in times of need. This fascinating exploration of the enduring popularity of oracles examines how they are interpreted and why. Taking examples from literature and history, from the oracles at Delphi to those in Macbeth, and further still to the works of Kafka and Bob Dylan, and even in the film The Matrix, Wood combines storytelling and commentary to provide a lively account of humanity's persistent faith in signs, which continues to exert an important influence on the course of civilization.

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The Road to Delphi: The Life and Afterlife of Oracles

The Road to Delphi: The Life and Afterlife of Oracles

by Michael Wood
The Road to Delphi: The Life and Afterlife of Oracles

The Road to Delphi: The Life and Afterlife of Oracles

by Michael Wood

Paperback(First Edition)

$23.00 
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Overview

Cultures of all epochs have consulted oracles in times of need. This fascinating exploration of the enduring popularity of oracles examines how they are interpreted and why. Taking examples from literature and history, from the oracles at Delphi to those in Macbeth, and further still to the works of Kafka and Bob Dylan, and even in the film The Matrix, Wood combines storytelling and commentary to provide a lively account of humanity's persistent faith in signs, which continues to exert an important influence on the course of civilization.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780312423070
Publisher: Picador
Publication date: 07/01/2004
Edition description: First Edition
Pages: 288
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Michael Wood is broadcaster and film-maker, as well as being the author of several highly praised books on English history, including In Search of Shakespeare.

Table of Contents

On the road3
1The Clever Animals5
2What God, Which God, Where?20
3So Much for Nero41
The way back61
4The Death of the King63
5What Are Such Things?81
6Sibyls and Poets103
Calling home131
7The Death of Oracles133
8Can the Devil Speak True?157
9Vestiges181
Dead or alive209
10Medicine and Probability211
11Our Astrology229
Off the road251
Bibliography255
Acknowledgments265
Index267
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