As a poet and storyteller, Olaf Lagercrantz approaches the works of Swedish scientist-turned-seer with the eyes of an artist, exploring the complex philosophy of one of Sweden's most famous sons with curiosity and open wonder. Lagercrantz examines Swedenborg's life, his experiences in heaven and hell, and writings about faith, the nature of the universe, and human relationships as works of literature, casting a new light on Swedenborg's ideas that often differs from the usual theological interpretations.

A descendant of an old noble Swedish family, Olof Lagercrantz was born in Stockholm in 1911. He became famous as a poet in the 1930s and '40s, received his Ph.D. in the history of literature at Stockholm University in 1951, and was editor-in-chief of the largest Swedish daily, Dagens Nyheter, from 1960 to 1975. He has published many books in his native Sweden, two of which have been translated into English and published in the United States.