The Expulsion of the Triumphant Beast

With a title like this, I suppose some tinge of disappointment is inevitably in store. The "beast" is, allegorically, "The Great Bear" of Ursa Major, astrologically considered. The title alludes to an elaborate allegory, in which the vices associated with the Ptolemaic constellations are to be displaced by their corresponding opposite virtues. Bruno is considering nothing less than a complete revolution in human morals and affairs. Very daring, and we are given to understand that this book was the centerpiece of the evidence against him in his heresy trial. So, very touching and even moving, but still very hard to get to. That in itself is a lesson in the gulf of time that separates our age from his.Well, I talked myself into 5 stars. We're in thin air here.

If you've found this review page, it stands to reason that you already have some interest in Giordano Bruno. I only wish to encourage you to read his works first-hand (or at least in a plausible translation like this one). The more knowledge of Renaissance culture you bring to the book, of course, the more you'll enjoy it. Even without that scholarly stuff, however, you'll find Bruno witty and thought-provoking.

reading it now . great read, should be required for students and those interested in finding out the truth, Bruno has it

Important text. Thank you.

On Febraury 16, 1600, this former monk was burned at the stake on charges of heresy. He died in the name of free thought. Yes, at first he offered to retract all of his heretical statements, but in the end, he decided that there was more honour in the penal fires than in a life like Galilei's. This book begins with an Explanatory Epistle. This letter alone is worth reading. The dialogues that comprise the body of the work were a trifle trying for me, as i have very little knowledge of the constellations, but please don't let this deter any possible readers from this work. As with any philosophical text, every reader should bring with him or her a willingness to concentrate on the book and the understanding that numerous re-readings will be necessary to appreciate the full depth of it. The bit where the messenger of the gods is telling Sophia all of the events Zeus has ordered to take place on Earth that day is very funny, so don't think this is all esoteric gobble-dee-gook that only some Ph.d. could enjoy. Shoot, I am only a high school graduate and I was glued to this thing the first time I read it.