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Synopsis
* Serendipities is an iconoclastic, dazzlingly erudite and witty demonstration, by one of the world's most brilliant thinkers, of how myths and lunacies can produce historical developments of no small significance. In Eco's words, 'even errors can produce interesting side effects'. * Eco's book shows how: -- believers in a flat earth helped Columbus accidentally discover America -- how the medieval myth of Prester John, the Christian king in Asia, assisted the European drive eastward -- how the myth of the Rosicrucians affected the Masons, leading in turn to the widespread belief in a Jewish masonic plot to dominate the world and other forms of paranoid antisemitism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries -- how the fruitless quest to discover the language used by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden helped shape the modern science of linguistics
'Umberto Eco is a polymath to an extent most will regard as practically inhuman.' Frank Kermode, NYRB
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About the Author
Umberto Eco is Professor of Semiotics at the University of Bologna and one of the world s most famous -- and admired -- writers.
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Serendipities: Language and Lunacy
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # wbs7298458447
Quantity: 1 available
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Serendipities: Language and Lunacy
Published by
Orion Publishing Co, United Kingdom, London, 1999
ISBN 10: 0297643258
ISBN 13: 9780297643258
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. In this work, Umberto Eco demonstrates how myths and lunacies can produce historical developments of no small significance. In Eco's words, "even errors can produce interesting side effects". This book shows how: believers in a flat earth helped Columbus accidentally discover America; how the medieval myth of Prester John, the Christian king in Asia, assisted the European drive eastward; and how the myth of the Rosicrucians affected the Masons, leading in turn to the widespread belief in a Jewish masonic plot to dominate the world and other forms of paranoid anti-Semitism in the 19th and 20th centuries. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003714348
Quantity: 7 available
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Serendipities : Language and Lunacy
Published by
Orion Publishing Group, Limited, 1999
ISBN 10: 0297643258
ISBN 13: 9780297643258
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. 1St Edition. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP16404539
Quantity: 1 available
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Serendipities: Language and Lunacy
Published by
Columbia University Press, 1998
ISBN 10: 0297643258
ISBN 13: 9780297643258
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Hamelyn, Madrid, M, Spain
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: Muy bueno. : En 'Serendipities: Lenguaje y Lunatismo', Umberto Eco explora cómo los mitos y las ideas erróneas pueden conducir a importantes desarrollos históricos. A través de un análisis erudito y ingenioso, Eco demuestra que incluso los errores pueden tener efectos secundarios interesantes. El libro examina cómo la creencia en una Tierra plana influyó en el descubrimiento accidental de América por parte de Colón, cómo el mito medieval del Preste Juan impulsó la expansión europea hacia el este, y cómo la leyenda de los Rosacruces afectó a los masones, contribuyendo a la creencia en una conspiración judeo-masónica mundial. Además, se analiza cómo la búsqueda infructuosa del lenguaje de Adán y Eva en el Jardín del Edén ayudó a dar forma a la lingüística moderna. EAN: 9780297643258 Tipo: Libros Categoría: Historia|Filosofía|Literatura y Ficción|Arte y Cultura Título: Serendipities: Language and Lunacy Autor: Umberto Eco Editorial: W&N Idioma: en Páginas: 176 Formato: tapa dura. Seller Inventory # Happ-2024-10-11-1b7fa894
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Serendipities: Language and Lunacy
Seller: BBBooks, Poulton-Le-Fylde, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good +. Ex-library book in an unclipped dust jacket. Sticker remnant and inked price to ffep, sticker to copyright page, otherwise internally fine. No textual markings or annotations. The dust jacket is complete and without library markings, with some general edge wear and creasing only. Red cloth with bright gilt titling to the spine. The boards remain clean and sound. Translated by William Weaver. ix, 129pp. Seller Inventory # 3683
Quantity: 1 available
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Serendipities: Language And Lunacy
Seller: Brit Books, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Used; Very Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 3999306
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Serendipities: Language And Lunacy
Seller: Kennys Bookstore, Olney, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1999. Hardcover. Good clean copy with some minor shelf wear. Dust wrapper has some minor edge wear but remains very good. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # KKD0001610
Quantity: 1 available
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Serendipities: Language And Lunacy
Seller: Kennys Bookshop and Art Galleries Ltd., Galway, GY, Ireland
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1999. Hardcover. Good clean copy with some minor shelf wear. Dust wrapper has some minor edge wear but remains very good. . . . . Seller Inventory # KKD0001610
Quantity: 1 available
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Serendipities: Language and Lunacy
Published by
Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1999
ISBN 10: 0297643258
ISBN 13: 9780297643258
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: September Books, CHURCH STRETTON, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. APPEARS UNREAD.1st printing. No wear to hard back book/dust jacket. D/j still has price corner.119 pages plus index. Pages are clean and tight. No name or inscription. Seller Inventory # 034489
Quantity: 1 available
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Serendipities : Language and Lunacy : First printing
Published by
Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, United Kingdom, 1999
ISBN 10: 0297643258
ISBN 13: 9780297643258
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: PW Books, Andover, HANTS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. True first British printing with original clipped jacket. Translated by William Weaver. Jacket has minor patchy edge/shelf wear, (quite) severe fading to/near spine, the odd small mark, odd small crease/rub to edges, a few small marks to reverse (white side) where colour from boards has run a little and a little pushing/rubbing to head/tail of spine and to corners. Boards are near fine with a hint of pushing to corners and very minor pushing/rubbing to head/tail of spine. Pages are generally clean and the binding is tight. Pages are slightly tanned. Top edge of pages have the odd small mark/mild foxing. Odd small mark/spot of foxing to page edges and bottoms. Very occasional small mark to pages. No other faults. All books described honestly and accurately. Paypal accepted. Seller Inventory # 008757
Quantity: 1 available