It’s a tale that’s as old as the seas themselves: the Faustian bargain, or the will to sell one’s soul to the devil, in exchange for profit or power. Author Ed Simon has set out to compile the entire history of this mythical bargain in Devil’s Contract, which has seen appearances in the Bible, folklore, music and even popular culture.

Devil’s Contract traces the story back to its biblical roots, right through to 18th century theatre and up to appearances in popular music and beyond. The legend of Faust and Mephistopheles goes to the very heart of what Christianity is, and Simon draws on an extensive amount of investigation to compare its power then and how it can still be seen in the modern world, with many influential people accused of selling their souls.

Corruption of society aside, Simon also takes a look at how it’s influenced the arts, with Hans Christian Andersen invoking Faustian comparisons when Ariel struck a deal with Ursula in The Little Mermaid – while the Charlie Daniels Band sang about it on 1979 hit The Devil Went Down To Georgia. Altogether an intriguing read – a very thorough historical study, which can also count itself as a study of human nature. Would you sell your soul for power and prosperity?