In the 1700s, an Italian mystic took the European continent by storm, creating and courting controversy everywhere he went, and hugely impacting all of society, from the poor and the sick to the rich and the royal.

This man was Giuseppe Balsamo, but he went by many names to those who knew him. The most common of those-which wafted on the winds of the European Courts-was Cagliostro.

The author, Manteia, argues that Cagliostro was a victim of circumstance, but also a victim of himself. His dual identity created the highs of apparent miracle and the lows of evident trickery, explaining the myriad conflicting accounts of this fascinating figure.

In this compelling read, translated from the Italian for the first time, the captivating history of the magician and alchemist is explored, from his dignified reception throughout Europe to his eventual downfall and demise. Manteia goes beyond the history, delving deep into the psychoanalytical and even the astrological explanations of this fabulous "double life."