The Secret Doctrine, Volume 1 (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

Originally published in 1888, The Secret Doctrine is Madame Blavatsky's two-volume magnum opus, constituting one of the seminal works on esoteric knowledge of their age. Volume 1, "Cosmogenesis," covers the creation of the universe, the evolution of our universe, and how it follows the Hindu cycles of manvantaras (activity) and pralayas (passivity).