Incombustible Lutheran Books in Early Modern Germany

This book discusses the early modern engagement with books that survived intentional or accidental fire in Lutheran Germany. From the 1620s until the middle of the eighteenth century, unburnt books became an attraction for princes, publishers, clergymen, and some laymen. To cope with an event that seemed counter-intuitive and possibly supernatural, contemporaries preserved these books, narrated their survival, and discussed their significance. This book demonstrates how early modern Europeans, no longer bound to traditional medieval religion, yet not accustomed to modern scientific ways of thinking, engaged with a natural phenomenon that was not uncommon and yet seemed to defy common sense.

List of contents

1. Unburnt Books: Early Modern Lutheran Things 2. Narrative 3. Thing 4. Miracle 5. "Non cultus sed memoriae gratia"

About the author

Avner Shamir is Associate Professor at the SAXO Institute, University of Copenhagen.

Summary

This book is an investigation of the early modern Lutheran affection for books that survived fires. It explores narratives about and practices concerning their preservation, and discusses conceptions of incombustible books in relation to the Lutheran theory of the cessation of miracles.

Product details

• Authors: Avner Shamir, Shamir Avner
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.06.2021
• EAN: 9781032093918
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3209391-8
• No. of pages: 204
• Series: Routledge Research in Early Modern History
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; HISTORY / Europe / Germany, European History, Germany, HISTORY / General, HISTORY / Modern / General, Social & cultural history, Religion: general, c 1500 onwards to present day, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Social and cultural history, Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700, History and Archaeology, C 1600 To C 1700