Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion: An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural

by Arthur C. Lehmann (Compiler), Pamela A. Moro, James E. Myers

This comparative reader takes an anthropological approach to the study of religious beliefs, both strange and familiar. The engaging articles on all key issues related to the anthropology of religion grab the attention of students, while giving them an excellent foundation in contemporary ideas and approaches in the field. The multiple authors included in each chapter represent a range of interests, geographic foci, and ways of looking at each subject. Divided into 10 chapters, this book begins with a broad view of anthropological ways of looking at religion, and moves on to some of the core topics within the subject, such as myth, ritual, and the various types of religious specialists.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Religion, History, Reference, Mythology, Spirituality

538 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1985

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to pick this up for my anthropology class. I was excited to learn about the subject, but I was dismayed when I saw this book. It's dense, with no pictures. I started reading it because I had to and I was surprised at how interesting it was. It covers a very wide range of topics, from the classics to somewhat modern ones.

This textbook is really just a bunch of articles bound up as a textbook, with a couple introductions. (Which are one of the best parts.) So don't expect it to be some kind of 101 book for the subject.

Keep in mind that this book is a compilation of essays from many different well-known experts on the subject, some of which aren't too neutral in their opinions. Also, some of these opinions might be a bit dated.

Even though it is intended as a textbook for people who have been studying the subject, it's interesting enough, and readable enough that you can pick it up without any previous knowledge and still enjoy it.

[Jacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally, this book is wonderful for anthropological introductions to religion. However the class accompanying it was so terrible that I doubt I’ll ever look at this book again after this semester lol.

[E.M. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic, Witchraft, and Religion is an eye-opening dive into the motivators and possible origins of magical and religious practices from a worldwide perspective. Though I read this many years ago for a summer community college course, I recall the authors taking a clear-eyed yet respectful approach to analyzing these cultural practices. This is a splendid resource for those who want to understand or write about magical practices (and religious traditions) and the thought process behind those who believe in them.

[Gypsysoul_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several excellent articles, however, now are outdated. It would be interesting to see follow-up data on a few of the topics, and also more article on current NRM.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely information-packed resource on various stories of the supernatural, different magical practices, forms of witchcraft, and religions around the world.

[AF · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a textbook, it is excellent.

[Daliserx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an interesting read. Though, i have read only certain chapters, most of them were very informative.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required text for Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite textbook of all time.

[Becky Mcdaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a class back in school and it was a great book.

[Dejanira Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

.*still reading just dont feel like keeping track since it's a college textbook*

[tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for an anthropological look at religion! One of my favorite “school” books where I found myself just picking it up to read because I couldn’t put it down.

[Tyna]

Old textbook. Good collection of articles.