Preface:
In this book I have written about some of the strangest of those who have tried to 'look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grown and which will not", as Banquo said to the witches.

Socrates described prophecy as 'a madness which is the special gift of heaven, and the source of the chiefest blessings among men', and added that 'the prophetess at Delphi and the priestess of Dodona when out of their senses have conferred greatest benefits on Hellas, both in public and private life, but when in their senses, few or none.'