What do you think?
Rate this book
Wizards and Witches
Tells the stories of witches, enchanters, and sorcerers, and discusses legends and folklore concerning Merlin, Nostradamus, and magic
143 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
16 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 2, 2017
To see this review and to learn more about this series, please visit www.readrantrockandroll.com
I learned about this Time Life Enchanted World Series after Stacy and I did an interview with Katherine Arden, author of The Bear and the Nightingale. The author had mentioned reading these when she was a kid and I couldn't wait to discover the set of books. I was really surprised that I'd never even seen this series when I was younger, but once I started reading a few of them I quickly realized that there's no way these books would've ever been allowed into my house growing up. It's a set of 21 volumes and I've been working to complete my set by purchasing a volume here and there. Some of of the volumes are more expensive than others. I decided to start with Wizards and Witches by Brendan Lehane.
The Wizard and Witches volume is split into 3 sections - Singers at the World's Dawn, Masters of Forbidden Arts and The Shadowy Sisterhood. It begins with Finnish Folklore about Väinämöinen and discusses other wizards including the Wizard of Kiev, Merlin, Math and Gwydion to name a few. The Forbidden Arts discusses satanic servants, tarot cards, goblins and more. The book ends discussing white and black witchcraft.
I really wasn't pleased with the book, however, I did enjoy some of the artwork. It seems to be written well and the pictures contain captions and quotes. Some of the images are dark and with the content here I'm really surprised to hear that children have read it-even being that it's fantasy. My most favorite story in the book was "Haunter of the Birch Forest" which is a Russian folktale about a girl named Vasilisa.
I liked some of it, but overall, this volume just isn't for my taste. I don't want to rate it based on my opinion of the subject matter so I'll give it 3 stars for how it's written and the artwork it contains. I hope to enjoy some of the other volumes...
3***
I learned about this Time Life Enchanted World Series after Stacy and I did an interview with Katherine Arden, author of The Bear and the Nightingale. The author had mentioned reading these when she was a kid and I couldn't wait to discover the set of books. I was really surprised that I'd never even seen this series when I was younger, but once I started reading a few of them I quickly realized that there's no way these books would've ever been allowed into my house growing up. It's a set of 21 volumes and I've been working to complete my set by purchasing a volume here and there. Some of of the volumes are more expensive than others. I decided to start with Wizards and Witches by Brendan Lehane.
The Wizard and Witches volume is split into 3 sections - Singers at the World's Dawn, Masters of Forbidden Arts and The Shadowy Sisterhood. It begins with Finnish Folklore about Väinämöinen and discusses other wizards including the Wizard of Kiev, Merlin, Math and Gwydion to name a few. The Forbidden Arts discusses satanic servants, tarot cards, goblins and more. The book ends discussing white and black witchcraft.
I really wasn't pleased with the book, however, I did enjoy some of the artwork. It seems to be written well and the pictures contain captions and quotes. Some of the images are dark and with the content here I'm really surprised to hear that children have read it-even being that it's fantasy. My most favorite story in the book was "Haunter of the Birch Forest" which is a Russian folktale about a girl named Vasilisa.
I liked some of it, but overall, this volume just isn't for my taste. I don't want to rate it based on my opinion of the subject matter so I'll give it 3 stars for how it's written and the artwork it contains. I hope to enjoy some of the other volumes...
3***
October 25, 2015
I cannot believe The Enchanted World series has not been reviewed on Goodreads because it is STELLAR! They were one of those Time Life book a month deals. A friend of mine gave me the entire (I think I have all 21) series for storing some of his things while he was moving. This is the first book in the series from 1984. The books all have cloth covers, decorated in gilt with a glossy color illustration mounted on the front cover, and marbled endpapers. They have stunning interior color illustrations by renowned artists; some produced specifically for this series.
December 27, 2024
3.5 - 4 stars
What can I say about the Time Life Enchanted World series? Certainly that it was a hallmark of my youth; a much desired grail that I never attained then, but then that’s what the senescence of old age and nostalgia is for, right? This is most definitely a nostalgic trip for me and I have to say that I’m digging it. Simply leafing through this book brings back memories of TV ads with Vincent Price peddling the series and visits to the public library to leaf through them (mostly, I admit, for the pictures) since there was certainly no way my parents were likely to shell out monthly payments for me to get a series of fantasy books.
The first chapter covers what might be called the ‘natural’ wizards from the dawn of time. Those men and women still imbued with the magic of the world’s creation, including the Finnish magicians Vainamoinen and Lemminkainen, the Bard Taliesin and his Welsh compatriots Math and Gwydion, Circe the sorceress, and of course the infamous Merlin the Enchanter. The second covers the “scientific” magicians, the scholars of a more ordered age in which the intuitive connection to Nature and its magical underpinnings has been lost and intense study (as well as alliances with otherworldly figures) was required to invoke the wonders that came naturally to the poet-mages of the previous era. Figures such as Roger Bacon, Faust, and Nostradamus exemplify these mage-scholars. The third chapter covers the sisterhood of the witches, both the light and dark variety (though heavily weighted towards the dark).
The ‘encyclopedic’ entries are interspersed with several full tales in each chapter: the story of Lleu Llaw Gyffes from Welsh legend, Arthur’s birth and rule under the watchful eye of Merlin, the German tale of Mephistopheles, and the Russian folktale of Baba Yaga and Vasilisa to name a few. Of course, the highlight of the book probably lies in the beautiful art interspersed amongst the tales, some culled from historical sources and others commissioned from contemporary artists.
This volume is packed full and was definitely a nostalgic trip down memory lane for me.
What can I say about the Time Life Enchanted World series? Certainly that it was a hallmark of my youth; a much desired grail that I never attained then, but then that’s what the senescence of old age and nostalgia is for, right? This is most definitely a nostalgic trip for me and I have to say that I’m digging it. Simply leafing through this book brings back memories of TV ads with Vincent Price peddling the series and visits to the public library to leaf through them (mostly, I admit, for the pictures) since there was certainly no way my parents were likely to shell out monthly payments for me to get a series of fantasy books.
The first chapter covers what might be called the ‘natural’ wizards from the dawn of time. Those men and women still imbued with the magic of the world’s creation, including the Finnish magicians Vainamoinen and Lemminkainen, the Bard Taliesin and his Welsh compatriots Math and Gwydion, Circe the sorceress, and of course the infamous Merlin the Enchanter. The second covers the “scientific” magicians, the scholars of a more ordered age in which the intuitive connection to Nature and its magical underpinnings has been lost and intense study (as well as alliances with otherworldly figures) was required to invoke the wonders that came naturally to the poet-mages of the previous era. Figures such as Roger Bacon, Faust, and Nostradamus exemplify these mage-scholars. The third chapter covers the sisterhood of the witches, both the light and dark variety (though heavily weighted towards the dark).
The ‘encyclopedic’ entries are interspersed with several full tales in each chapter: the story of Lleu Llaw Gyffes from Welsh legend, Arthur’s birth and rule under the watchful eye of Merlin, the German tale of Mephistopheles, and the Russian folktale of Baba Yaga and Vasilisa to name a few. Of course, the highlight of the book probably lies in the beautiful art interspersed amongst the tales, some culled from historical sources and others commissioned from contemporary artists.
This volume is packed full and was definitely a nostalgic trip down memory lane for me.
February 16, 2021
The first in the 21 volumes of the Enchanted World series, put out by Time-Life book in the early 1980s. Each covers a different aspect of the world before the order imposed by Christianity. That isn't meant to be an anti-Christian it simply melds Christian mythology with the ancient legends and myths of yesteryear. It reflects the nature of chaos along with those of order, and as one wins over the other those with the skill or knowledge can manipulate the interplay. Eventually however the God of Reason won out over and the adversary was placed under his thumb. Thus the practitioners faded into myths, legends, and stories.
This volume is broken up into three parts. The first deals with the earliest and strongest of the wizards, back when the world the process of creation not yet completed. Since reality was fluid, it was relatively easy for mighty wizards to cast their magic. Magic in those days was almost instinctual and inborn; it was an art. Part two deals with the wizard scholar. As a result of Christianity clearly setting and defining the world, the use of magic became much more difficult and even dangerous. It was difficult because it was no longer an art to be understood instinctively but a science that required years of study. Part three then moves onto the study of witches, the truths and misconceptions, the rumors and stories about their powers.
What draws one into this book - and presumably the rest of this series - are the magnificent pieces of art scattered throughout the entire book and the many old stories collected together from cultures all over the world. Though the material is dominated by legends from Europe, a few other cultures manage to slip in. It also includes an extensive bibliography for those who wish to read more on the subject.
This volume is broken up into three parts. The first deals with the earliest and strongest of the wizards, back when the world the process of creation not yet completed. Since reality was fluid, it was relatively easy for mighty wizards to cast their magic. Magic in those days was almost instinctual and inborn; it was an art. Part two deals with the wizard scholar. As a result of Christianity clearly setting and defining the world, the use of magic became much more difficult and even dangerous. It was difficult because it was no longer an art to be understood instinctively but a science that required years of study. Part three then moves onto the study of witches, the truths and misconceptions, the rumors and stories about their powers.
What draws one into this book - and presumably the rest of this series - are the magnificent pieces of art scattered throughout the entire book and the many old stories collected together from cultures all over the world. Though the material is dominated by legends from Europe, a few other cultures manage to slip in. It also includes an extensive bibliography for those who wish to read more on the subject.
November 13, 2010
My dad gave me books from this series as gifts. It opened my mind to the fun stories of King Arthur, fairies, ghosts, and everything supernatural. These books were a HUGE influence on me.
July 14, 2016
The art is beautiful, the writing is engaging, the stories are diverse, and the information is extremely well-researched.
March 24, 2024
never been so bored in my life. this was awful.
gonna go tel my client i loved it 😊
gonna go tel my client i loved it 😊
January 24, 2019
Like the other volumes, this one ties folklore from disparate lands and times into a single narrative. With absolutely gorgeous artwork. I do feel like the witches and wizards sections weren't as well integrated, and the ending a little rushed, but on the whole, a good work.
November 10, 2019
Another beautifully illustrated book in the Enchanted World series. This includes everything from Medieval scientists (Francis Bacon) to evil witches (Baba Yaga), from ancient wizards capable of controlling all of nature to old women growing poisons in their gardens.
October 25, 2007
Not quite as epic as Spells and Bindings, but still full of good stuff.
June 17, 2021
A fun read, and it has a version of Vasilisa the Beautiful (the Russian version of Cinderella) that is WAY better than the one I used to use in my multi-cultural Fairy Tale unit.
February 6, 2023
Love this series
January 24, 2018
Not quite what I expected, I thought there would be tales about wizards and witches. But most of the pages are filled with information what witches and wizards are and do. I liked the old stories about certain wizards and witches the most, like the one with Baba Yaga. Though, it was nice to read the background stories of several creatures.
February 24, 2021
Recueil de la même collection que celui sur les elfes et les fées, et qui reprend le même principe. J’adore revisiter ces histoires de mon enfance, particulièrement celle de Baba Yaga, et les illustrations sont magnifiques. Seul bémol: j’ai trouvé que la partie sur les sorcières était nettement moins étoffée que celle sur les magiciens
February 20, 2022
I love this Book series. As with all of them it is filled with a little bit of history and facts mixed in with some folk lore and tales with amazing art work. I found interesting how the Wizards though were painted as fair and good and the Witches for the most part were evil hags but that was the history of it I guess.
September 13, 2018
A beautifully illustrated book with some really interesting stories from different cultures around the world
October 30, 2022
This was a trip back to my childhood. My parents ordered this series and I was always quite taken by the wonderful illustrations. Now, I'm reading the text and it also is pretty interesting and informative.
April 17, 2009
My review for all of these books in this series is the same.
Time-Life has once again done an outstanding job putting together a series. From cover to cover they are thoughtful, beautiful books. I'm starting to sound generic, but it's true.
I'm a DK fan, I like white backgrounds and side notes with clear sections for every subject. This series has none of that. What they do have is an old book feel. Timeless artwork, thoroughness, and very well written makes these a must on my occult/paranormal bookshelf at home. I've been collecting the series slowly over several years and still have a few books to go. I refuse to go on amazon and buy them. It's all in the hunt for me. There is no subject they have left untouched. I highly recommend them.
Time-Life has once again done an outstanding job putting together a series. From cover to cover they are thoughtful, beautiful books. I'm starting to sound generic, but it's true.
I'm a DK fan, I like white backgrounds and side notes with clear sections for every subject. This series has none of that. What they do have is an old book feel. Timeless artwork, thoroughness, and very well written makes these a must on my occult/paranormal bookshelf at home. I've been collecting the series slowly over several years and still have a few books to go. I refuse to go on amazon and buy them. It's all in the hunt for me. There is no subject they have left untouched. I highly recommend them.
November 5, 2016
I enjoyed this book immensely. As with all of the books in the Enchanted World series, Wizards and Witches is written in an elegant old world style. This particular book covers the first magic users who were masters of words and givers of "names" when the world was more transmutable. It also covers the alchemists and other magic seekers who sought otherworldly knowledge in a dark age. This book was one of my favorites in the series and I believe it is a must read if you have an interest in folklore and mythology.
October 24, 2010
Entertaining with beautiful pictures. My favorite story is the story of the son of Arianron, Lleu Llaw Gyffes and his flower wife, Blodeuwedd. It's a story of magic and betrayal and the pictures are beautiful!
November 1, 2011
Super awesome! I'm really enjoying this series. Lots of different stories and legends from different places about wizards and witches. They make for a very intereting read,and the illustrations that go along with them are also fantastic. Very fun :D:D
July 25, 2011
My favorite of the series.
October 28, 2013
A series of short articles and stories.
November 5, 2016
INTERESTING TALES, LAYOUT WAS A BIT DISTRACTING.
Read
August 7, 2011Still have this whole series. Great artwork and wonderful retellings.
November 17, 2011
This made magic make such sense.
January 30, 2012
Interesting book full of facts and tales centered around wizards and witches.
May 1, 2017
an absolute treasure trove of legends told beautifully with amazing illustrations. This is no study of historical fact, just a glorious celebration of the myth made to very high standards
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews