Robert Anton Wilson 
The Earth Will Shake 
Historical Illuminatus Chronicles Volume 1

They have been with us all through history: The ‘Invisible College’ of wisdom, and their adversaries. The history of the world is their story: a conspiracy as vast and all-encompassing as the riddle of time itself.In Naples, Italy, in 1764, a young aristocrat is about to stumble onto one piece of the great pattern. Through a heartless murder and his passion for the beautiful daughter of his enemy, young Sigismundo Celine uncovers the mystery of the Rossi brigade, former M.A.F.I.A. assassins, and the secret agenda of the dreaded Inquisition.In the wind of the raging social storm that will soon tear through Europe and America with the flame of revolution, Sigismundo begins his journey of discovery, joined by the boy Mozart, Dr. Frankenstein, Casanova the spy, lover and magician . . . and a mysterious violet-eyed assassin who calls him ‘brother.’ Join him. The journey has just begun.’Against the epic backdrop of the French and American revolutions, the inimitable RAW lays bare the secret history of the Enlightenment, while almost casually re-inventing the historical novel in the process. The result is a heady, psychedelic brew of satire, intrigue, magic, high adventure and life-changing philosophy, seasoned with the wry, compassionate humanism which is Wilson’s trademark. Astonishing and unforgettable.’ – Grant Morrison, New York Times best-selling author, Comics Legend, Chaos Magician, creator of The Invisibles and other great graphic novels’Devilish . . . I loved it!’ – Greil Marcus, Rolling Stone’Hilarious and multidimensional.’ – L.A. Times