A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult (DK a History of)

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Sophie Page who was consulted throughout the book, each person involved in the writing of A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult has extensively studied magical history from a historian's point of view. A long-time fan of the supernatural, I learned for the first time that the Greeks had spell books and that divination by viewing anomalies in entrails is termed extispicy. While not all of my magic systems have a direct one-to-one correlation to our world but using the logic of the world we live in to embody magic in my stories feels essential.

Tom has published numerous articles on the modern history of witchcraft, and his new book, Cursed Britain: A History of Witchcraft and Black Magic in Modern Times , will be published by Yale University Press in August 2019. My blog details my practice, focusing on hedgecraft, the Wheel of the Year, spirit communication, and folk magic. Because of the breadth of knowledge they are discussing, most sections are very brief in their explanation.I wish I had this in a physical copy, and I likely will get one in the future when I start having money again. There are several interesting books that cover the Salem Witch Trials, the ones that I have listened to are very good at covering and explaining the Witchfinder General. Only available from Audible, a gripping psychological thriller from the author of Silent Child, Saving April, and The Broken Ones.

This doesn’t excuse it entirely, but part of the loss information from the genocides and colonization means we cannot know what was known. This indispensable witchcraft book explores the common human fascination with spells, superstition and the supernatural.While I acknowledge that personal preferences vary, "A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult" did not resonate with me. An excellent work on the history of magic from its earliest prehistoric roots to modern day practices. It provides you with a balanced and unbiased account of everything from Japanese folklore and Indian witchcraft to the differences between black and white magic and dispelling myths such as those surrounding the voodoo doll and Ouija. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the same thing, its just as close as the English language has to that concept. Highly recommend if you're looking for a quick reference guide with gorgeous photos to add to your macabre library.

Additionally, despite the wealth of information presented, I felt that the book lacked depth in certain areas. I did enjoy this book, its not overwhelming but it does spark wanting to learn more, which for a contextual reference book, that's exactly the goal!From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books. Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. Most subjects get 2-3 pages, so there isn’t a lot of depth given to each subject — but it does start in prehistoric times and ends in the present day, and touches on magical, occult, or spiritual traditions from all over the world, so the author had to stick to just the basics. I think I may have picked up tidbits here and there, but overall, knowledge-wise, it feels like a wash.