Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim, who called himself Paracelsus, stands at the cusp of medieval and modern times. A contemporary of Luther, an enemy of the medical establishment, a scourge of the universities, an alchemist, an army surgeon, and a radical theologian, he attracted myths even before he died. His fantastic journeys across Europe and beyond were said to be made on a magical white horse, and he was rumored to carry the elixir of life in the pommel of his great broadsword. His name was linked with Faust, who bargained with the devil. Who was the man behind these stories? Some have accused him of being a charlatan, a windbag who filled his books with wild speculations and invented words. Others claim him as the father of modern medicine. Philip Ball exposes a more complex truth in The Devil's Doctor—one that emerges only by entering into Paracelsus's time. He explores the intellectual, political, and religious undercurrents of the sixteenth century and looks at how doctors really practiced, at how people traveled, and at how wars were fought. For Paracelsus was a product of an age of change and strife, of renaissance and reformation. And yet by uniting the diverse disciplines of medicine, biology, and alchemy, he assisted, almost in spite of himself, in the birth of science and the emergence of the age of rationalism. "Ball produces a vibrant, original portrait of a man of contradictions:" - Publishers Weekly

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA SUNDAY TIMES, NEW STATESMAN & IRISH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARSHORTLISTED FOR THE CRIME WRITERS ASSOCIATION GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTIONA perspective-shattering work into the minds of violent criminals that reveals profound consequences for human nature and society at large. *INCLUDES A NEW CHAPTER*'Brilliant . . . The book is a powerful myth buster. Name a sterotype about violent offenders and Adshead upends it.'SUNDAY TIMES'Deeply moving . . . the most overwhelming feeling I had on finishing this book was of hope . . . Compassionate and fascinating.'GUARDIANDr Gwen Adshead is one of Britain's leading forensic psychiatrists. She treats serial killers, arsonists, stalkers, gang members and other individuals who are usually labelled 'monsters'. Whatever their crime, she listens to their stories and helps them to better understand their terrible acts of violence. Here Adshead invites the reader to step with her into the room to meet twelve patients and discover how minds can change. These men and women are revealed in all their complexity and shared humanity. Their stories make a powerful case for rehabilitation over revenge, compassion over condemnation. The Devil You Know will challenge everything you thought you knew about human nature.'An unmissable book.' OBSERVER'Adshead's compassion is almost as shocking as the offences themselves . . . it gives her distance and extraordinary insight.'THE TIMES, Books of the Year'The Devil You Know has permanently recalibrated my empathy dial.'NEW STATESMAN, Books of the Year'Deeply humane.'IRISH TIMES, Books of the Year'Exceptional.' VAL McDERMID'Extraodinary.' SEBASTIAN FAULKS'Gripping . . . ultimately enlightening.' PHILIPPE SANDS'Fascinating and beautifully written.' CHRISTIE WATSONA SUNDAY TIMES, NEW STATESMAN & IRISH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARSHORTLISTED FOR THE CRIME WRITERS ASSOCIATION GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTIONA perspective-shattering work into the minds of violent criminals that reveals profound consequences for human nature and society at large. *INCLUDES A NEW CHAPTER*'Brilliant . . . The book is a powerful myth buster. Name a sterotype about violent offenders and Adshead upends it.'SUNDAY TIMES'Deeply moving . . . the most overwhelming feeling I had on finishing this book was of hope . . . Compassionate and fascinating.'GUARDIANDr Gwen Adshead is one of Britain's leading forensic psychiatrists. She treats serial killers, arsonists, stalkers, gang members and other individuals who are usually labelled 'monsters'. Whatever their crime, she listens to their stories and helps them to better understand their terrible acts of violence. Here Adshead invites the reader to step with her into the room to meet twelve patients and discover how minds can change. These men and women are revealed in all their complexity and shared humanity. Their stories make a powerful case for rehabilitation over revenge, compassion over condemnation. The Devil You Know will challenge everything you thought you knew about human nature.'An unmissable book.' OBSERVER'Adshead's compassion is almost as shocking as the offences themselves . . . it gives her distance and extraordinary insight.'THE TIMES, Books of the Year'The Devil You Know has permanently recalibrated my empathy dial.'NEW STATESMAN, Books of the Year'Deeply humane.'IRISH TIMES, Books of the Year'Exceptional.' VAL McDERMID'Extraodinary.' SEBASTIAN FAULKS'Gripping . . . ultimately enlightening.' PHILIPPE SANDS'Fascinating and beautifully written.' CHRISTIE WATSON