The History of the Devil, Ancient & Modern

The History of the Devil is a classic historical and religious book universally considered one of Daniel Defoe's greatest works of non-fiction. The book was first published in 1726 and made an immediate impact on English literature, society and the ecclesiastical community in the early 18th century and continues to enrich humanity as a faithful source of historical and biblical truth and wisdom.

The History of the Devil cleverly unfolds the actions, devices, and evil nature of Satan and his host of devils against God and mankind throughout the history of the world. Defoe divides the book into two parts: Ancient, or the time from before the creation of the universe to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ; and Modern, or from the time of Christ and establishment of the Christian Church to the present day. His style is one that uniquely blends serious biblical principles and history with lighter satirical narrative, especially when dealing with mankind's many false presuppositions about the Devil, and clearly delineates when each, or both, is applicable to the subject of discussion.

Defoe's resolute faith in God and his Savior, Jesus Christ, and the divine insight the Lord unfolded to him of the operations of good and evil in the history of the world and the society in which he lived, were the motivating factors behind the writing of this timeless work. Defoe's Christianity aligned closely with the beliefs of the eminent Puritans and the brave reformers of Protestant Reformation, and he was a dissenter from the Church of England, which we see consistently and faithfully revealed in the pages of The History of the Devil, as it is in many of his other writings.

"Three things, ought not to be wanting in any man-a reverence of God, a sense of religion, and a profession of the duty we all owe our Maker." -Daniel Defoe

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) was a prolific English writer with over 500 works to his name. He was a renowned author of many novels including his most famous, Robinson Crusoe (1719), Moll Flanders (1722) and Colonel Jack (1722).