The life and the doctrines of Philippus Theophrastus, Bombast of Hohenheim, known by the name of Paracelsus

The Life and the Doctrines of Paracelsus by Franz Hartmann is a masterful portrait of one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in the history of science and mysticism — Paracelsus, the sixteenth-century physician, alchemist, and philosopher who revolutionized medicine and spiritual thought alike. Drawing upon rare sources and his own deep understanding of esoteric philosophy, Hartmann reconstructs both the life and the inner vision of a man centuries ahead of his time.

In vivid, accessible prose, Hartmann traces Paracelsus's extraordinary journey — from his studies in Basel and wanderings across Europe to his fearless rejection of scholastic medicine and his bold assertion that nature itself was the true teacher. Alongside biography, the author presents a comprehensive summary of Paracelsus's doctrines: his theory of the Archeus, the spiritual essence of life; his belief in the unity of man and cosmos; and his insistence that healing required harmony between body, mind, and soul.

Far more than a historical account, The Life and the Doctrines of Paracelsus is a bridge between science and mysticism. Hartmann reveals how Paracelsus anticipated modern chemistry, psychology, and holistic medicine, while remaining grounded in a profoundly spiritual worldview. He portrays him not merely as a physician, but as a seer — a reformer who sought to unite divine wisdom with empirical knowledge.

 For readers interested in the roots of medicine, alchemy, or occult philosophy, Hartmann's work remains an indispensable introduction — a luminous study of a man whose fire of insight still burns through the centuries.