The Secret Doctrine: Volume I ~ Cosmogenesis

This Theosophy Trust edition of The Secret Doctrine is a beautifully crafted book, unique in its organization, that will reward the reader with an enjoyable reading experience and be a valuable addition to their library. While there are several very accessible editions (not to mention the facsimile version of the Original Edition) of The Secret Doctrine already available in print, this Theosophy Trust Books edition offers a very high degree of readability. The Original Edition of 1888 was a spectacular work, given that the enormous complexity of the content with a range of drawings, and a complex mixture of Sanskrit, Hebrew and Greek words along with a very complex arrangement of the subject matter, presents uniquely difficult challenges. More recent editions have tried to remedy some of the problems found in the O.E., but some introduced other difficulties as well, such as editorial "explanations" and comments, as well as sectarian subject matter. The aim of this edition is to preserve all of the original content and modes of presentation while improving upon the accessibility and usefulness to the reader. To this end, we have included several features that may prove to be useful improvements. First, we have selected a larger format book to allow us to set the entire book in 9.5 point Palatino Linotype, an elegant and highly readable typeface, replacing the original 8 pt. font. Second, as the footnotes contain some of the most interesting and provocative statements in the book, we have numbered all of the footnotes with consecutive numbers, so that the reader will more easily be able to retrace their path to these remarkable statements. Third, we have inserted a new set of minor section headers that indicate what that particular section discusses. Last, the new headers more consistently reflect the chapters where they are located. Taken all together, this volume is a very fine edition of Mdme. Blavatsky's magnum opus; the reader will find it to be a thoroughly enjoyable and useful work on spiritual philosophy.