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Ladybird Expert #18
Witchcraft: A Ladybird Expert Book (36)
Part of the new Ladybird Expert series, Witchcraft is a clear, simple and entertaining introduction to the magical myths that have coloured the popular imagination for centuries. Written by celebrated historian and broadcaster Dr Suzannah Lipscomb, Witchcraft explores the moment in history when witches were perceived to be especially the famous witch hunts between 1450 and 1750. Written by the leading lights and most outstanding communicators in their fields, the Ladybird Expert books provide clear, accessible and authoritative introductions to subjects drawn from science, history and culture. For an adult readership, the Ladybird Expert series is produced in the same iconic small hardback format pioneered by the original Ladybirds. Each beautifully illustrated book features the first new illustrations produced in the original Ladybird style for nearly forty years.
56 pages, Hardcover
Published October 4, 2018
7 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
About the author
Suzannah Lipscomb
16 books743 followersProf Suzannah Lipscomb is Professor Emerita in History at the University of Roehampton. She is the author of 1536: The Year that Changed Henry VIII, A Visitor's Companion to Tudor England, The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII, Witchcraft, and The Voices of Nimes: Women, Sex and Marriage in Reformation Languedoc. She edited, with Helen Carr, What is History, Now? (out 2021). She also writes and presents television programmes, including series on Henry VIII and his Six Wives, Witches: A Century of Murder, and Elizabeth I; hosts the podcast Not Just the Tudors from History Hit, and writes a regular column for History Today.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 10, 2019
Part of the Ladybird Expert books for adults, this is a brief look at witch trials in Europe and the persecution of, mostly, old and poor women. Full of many facts and very interesting, it also includes some brilliant illustrations.
December 29, 2018
Short but phenomenal!
November 22, 2018
Witchcraft – A Ladybird Expert Book
There was a witch in my life as a teenager, she taught English, brought the three witches in Macbeth to life, and was even more shocked when I did pass my O levels in English and English Literature! Where Suzannah Lipscomb in this Ladybird Expert book has mentioned those mentioned those in fiction (there always is a sensible grown-up).
Across the fifty pages of this wonderful little book, with its brilliant illustrations it is so engrossing, and as it is not my area of history, very informative. Dr Lipscomb breaks down some of the myths of witches in earlier times. Yes, ducking stools do get a mention, but you will have to find out whether they were a myth. Was Dan Brown correct in the Da Vinci Code?
Throughout history witches have made an appearance when people are trying to define wrong doing or did not understand science as we know it today. The height of the fear of witches usually correlated at times of poor harvests, plague and war. This book teaches you or reminds you of something on every page.
A book with fifty pages on which you can learn something new, well that would be the Ladybird expert books. The one on Witchcraft is very informative, written by a leading historian, Suzannah Lipscomb knows how to get the facts across without boring the tears off you, and makes this such an interesting and fun read.
There was a witch in my life as a teenager, she taught English, brought the three witches in Macbeth to life, and was even more shocked when I did pass my O levels in English and English Literature! Where Suzannah Lipscomb in this Ladybird Expert book has mentioned those mentioned those in fiction (there always is a sensible grown-up).
Across the fifty pages of this wonderful little book, with its brilliant illustrations it is so engrossing, and as it is not my area of history, very informative. Dr Lipscomb breaks down some of the myths of witches in earlier times. Yes, ducking stools do get a mention, but you will have to find out whether they were a myth. Was Dan Brown correct in the Da Vinci Code?
Throughout history witches have made an appearance when people are trying to define wrong doing or did not understand science as we know it today. The height of the fear of witches usually correlated at times of poor harvests, plague and war. This book teaches you or reminds you of something on every page.
A book with fifty pages on which you can learn something new, well that would be the Ladybird expert books. The one on Witchcraft is very informative, written by a leading historian, Suzannah Lipscomb knows how to get the facts across without boring the tears off you, and makes this such an interesting and fun read.
December 28, 2020
A book about witchcraft trials in Europe.
I appreciate that this book was written by a historian, so I assume it is at least somewhat authoritative, objective, and well-rounded. That was also my impression. Due to its format, it however lacks in nuance and depth. It addresses witchcraft trials in 23 sections, each on a single short page, including "Was it a woman hunt", "Male witches", "Proof", and why/how people were accused.
I would expect a bit more insight and content from any book, even in this format, even though what information is there is probably good. I feel misled by having half the book filled with needless and pointless illustrations.
I appreciate that this book was written by a historian, so I assume it is at least somewhat authoritative, objective, and well-rounded. That was also my impression. Due to its format, it however lacks in nuance and depth. It addresses witchcraft trials in 23 sections, each on a single short page, including "Was it a woman hunt", "Male witches", "Proof", and why/how people were accused.
I would expect a bit more insight and content from any book, even in this format, even though what information is there is probably good. I feel misled by having half the book filled with needless and pointless illustrations.
February 7, 2021
Who are the people giving this 1 or 2 stars for not being detailed or long enough? It’s a Ladybird book, guys. 🐞 Anyway, this book was exactly what I wanted and expected it to be! I’m glad to see there’s a further reading section at the end, I will absolutely be taking advantage of that.
May 25, 2025
A very quick read to fill the few minutes before I head to bed. In the Ladybird Expert series, the renowned publisher of books for young children have maintained their signature format, but commissioned experts in their field to produce works for an adult audience. In this case, my favourite popular historian, Suzannah Lipscomb, has produced a whistle-stop tour of the European 'witch panic', examining in a concise yet informative way the causes, effects, attitudes and statistics of both accused and accusers.
Clearly, in a book that is only 56 pages long there is no room for detailed analysis, and yet there is sufficient information included for the reader to be able to infer a lot more than just the information set out in black and white. There is plenty of guidance on where further detail can be sought if you want in-depth consideration, but as a jumping on point this is incredibly insightful.
It's set out in a clear and logical progression of thought so, while not completely in chronological order, it remains easy to follow the author's thoughts processes and the development of witch trials. It also strikes a really good balance between providing an overview of events with highlighting specific trials, so it's very easy to personalise the stories and empathise with both the victims and the accusers, who clearly didn't have the same knowledge we do.
The illustrations are really striking and add a whole other layer to the work. They're both beautiful and grotesque all at once, and do a great job at highlighting elements of the text and giving the reader just a taste of the terrifying ordeals and executions faced by those on their way to the scaffold.
A dinky book with a great impact!
Clearly, in a book that is only 56 pages long there is no room for detailed analysis, and yet there is sufficient information included for the reader to be able to infer a lot more than just the information set out in black and white. There is plenty of guidance on where further detail can be sought if you want in-depth consideration, but as a jumping on point this is incredibly insightful.
It's set out in a clear and logical progression of thought so, while not completely in chronological order, it remains easy to follow the author's thoughts processes and the development of witch trials. It also strikes a really good balance between providing an overview of events with highlighting specific trials, so it's very easy to personalise the stories and empathise with both the victims and the accusers, who clearly didn't have the same knowledge we do.
The illustrations are really striking and add a whole other layer to the work. They're both beautiful and grotesque all at once, and do a great job at highlighting elements of the text and giving the reader just a taste of the terrifying ordeals and executions faced by those on their way to the scaffold.
A dinky book with a great impact!
October 4, 2018
Nice but very basic
A basic overview of the witch hunts of Europe and the notable Salem Witch trails; beautifully illustrated. That said it is what one would expect with the Ladybird format, short snapshots of events or details consisting of a page or two, then onto the next segment. If you want an understanding of the witch hunts this is not the book for you, if you want a quick read and the headline facts then this book will deliver.
A basic overview of the witch hunts of Europe and the notable Salem Witch trails; beautifully illustrated. That said it is what one would expect with the Ladybird format, short snapshots of events or details consisting of a page or two, then onto the next segment. If you want an understanding of the witch hunts this is not the book for you, if you want a quick read and the headline facts then this book will deliver.
April 20, 2022
Interesting read
Interesting read and a nice foundation to the subject. I would have liked some citations though so I could know exactly where to go if a particular area interested me. Perhaps I've misunderstood the nature of the 'expert books', or maybe it's the nature of reading on a kindle app. But I was disappointed in that respect. I wouldn't have been allowed to submit something like this for a secondary school paper!
Interesting read and a nice foundation to the subject. I would have liked some citations though so I could know exactly where to go if a particular area interested me. Perhaps I've misunderstood the nature of the 'expert books', or maybe it's the nature of reading on a kindle app. But I was disappointed in that respect. I wouldn't have been allowed to submit something like this for a secondary school paper!
July 22, 2025
Very short, seems to be mostly aiming to debunk common witch myths, of which there are many so I can understand that impulse. Not by any means an in-depth study but if you want a quick overview from a historian of the early modern period this is a good start. I was not keen on the illustrations, which on Kindle were quite alarming and ugly! Even went back to check if they were AI because they were so weird. I assume they look nicer in print/colour.
February 6, 2019
This book was much tinier than I expected it to be. But it's a good—albeit quick—generalized look at the history of witchcraft right up until modern times. Really it's just to get a taste of the subject, and if you want to read more Lipscomb provides you with an excellent list of further reading at the back.
February 3, 2020
Read while waiting for the bus in the moonlight which seemed very appropriate.
Loved the quick bite sized information that was very informative. The only issue I have with this is that I now want to buy every book from the list in the back.
Loved the quick bite sized information that was very informative. The only issue I have with this is that I now want to buy every book from the list in the back.
June 23, 2021
Short, informational, enjoyable! Covers the persecution of suspected witches historically in Europe/America and ends on a chapter about modern witch hunts across the globe. (Actual ones, not the metaphor.)
October 17, 2021
Not sure why my husband bought me a book on Witchcraft for my birthday, but I was amazed at how much information could be packed into a short Ladybird Expert Book. Very informative and dispelled a lot of myths.
October 6, 2018
Enjoyed this. Nice introductory read that gives a good overview.
November 9, 2018
A good little introduction to current thinking on the witch trials of the early modern era. Accessible, easy to read, and well-informed.
January 4, 2019
So much information in such a modest book. It made me want to read more by her on the subject.
March 16, 2019
This book examines the truth behind various (ancient) myths about witchcraft.
Some of this book was quite interesting, but it lacked depth.
Reading time approximately forty-five minutes.
Some of this book was quite interesting, but it lacked depth.
Reading time approximately forty-five minutes.
September 1, 2020
This book is so well written, to begin learning about the history of witchcraft is so important and this book really was everything and more that I expected!
would certainly recommend!
would certainly recommend!
September 4, 2020
Information I have already but could read again
October 25, 2022
Well researched, well written and very interesting
Read
August 11, 2025Witch Hunt: A Century of Murder
October 5, 2025
The illustrations in this were phenomenal. Love facts about witchcraft.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews