Witchcraft: Ancient Origins to the Present Day: The History and Mythology

by Richard Marshall, Clare Gibson (Contributor)

This absorbing volume features wise women, Wiccans and warlocks alongside the history of the human tragedy of the European witch-burning era and the Salem trials, and the heroes who risked torture to speak out against the madness. Sorcerors Morgan le Fay, Melusine and Medea are among the diverse and infamous characters whose stories are told. Less well known are the ordinary victims, mainly women denounced by ignorance and ill-will, but sometimes men too, and children as young as four years of age. Because the arts of magic, and the fear of them, are timeless and universal, the scope of this exploration covers all continents and eras.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2012

Reviews

[Jasmin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Early on, this book had a lot of promise and contained some intersting information and explanations. Unfortunately, it suffered from a lack of direction, jumping between topics without a clear link or connection; the title suggests a linear look through history which does not materialise. It also went off on tanents at times about practices and phenomena such as spiritualism and poltergeists, which do not really link to the topic of witchcraft and are not really connected to the preceding or following points.

[Snufkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting facts and tales, but all quite dry and plainly told.