Rating: 
Summary: Depends on what you are looking for...
Review: Let me begin by saying that my rating of two stars is conditional upon what you are looking to get out of this (these, as they were originally published in two seperate volumes) books. If you are a beginner in neo-paganism that seeks an insight into the early days of the neo-pagan movement following Gardner, or are an advanced reader who wants to look back and marvel at how far the movement has come...then this book deserves a far better rating. However, if you are seeking information on genuine european paganism (ie. European religions priar to Christian influence and domination), then this book rates at two stars at best (and even then I am being generous out of my personal fondness for the Farrar's and the contribution they have made to the flowering of the modern pagan community).
When I came into the neo-pagan movement almost twenty years ago, there was precious little information, and fewer books concerning pre-christian European religions for those not involved in serious pre-historical scholarship, and not interested in Greeco-Roman reconstructionism. Gardner, Alex Sanders, Doreen Valiente, and the Farrar's had recently been joined on the shelves by Raymond Buckland's first few books, and at that time later Authors like Scott Cunnigham and the like were just joining the ranks of the neo-pagan community. I devoured all the books by these authors and hungered for more. In time, I was forced to begin researching ancient pagan traditions for myself from the source materials to further my understanding. In those days, Pagan gatherings were still few and difficult to find, but I went to them all, traveling far and wide. I came to meet the Farrar's many, many times over the years before Stewart's death. By the early 1990's I had spent many years studing Keltic and European pre-history, and had begun to lecture at gatherings and to historical societies myself, something that would consume me for many years to come before I reluctantly withdrew from the circle of elders at gatherings. I am telling you this so that those new to the community understand that my review and comments come from an intimate knowledge of the community and a lot of hard work and study over more than a decade. These days a modern pagan is confronted with hundreds of books, videos, magazines, etc offering information...some good, some bad, most grossly inaccurate. Unfortunately, this books falls, like most pagan works, in the later. While I hold that all paths lead to the Divine, I must also say as a historian, that the path of modern 'witchcraft' or 'Wicca' as described in this and so many other books does not bear any resembalence to the historical paganism of the Pre-christian European cultures such as the Kelts, Germans, Norse, etc. This is not intended as slander, or even critisism, merely presented as a fact of our historical knowledge of those cultures. The Farrar's books, like this one are an interesting look at a MODERN religious culture, and a great resource for those hoping to understand it's early days of creation by Gardner and his associates, but it is not Historical.
With these things in mind, and in memory of Stewart who so deeply affected my growth in those days, please read this book and enjoy it greatly...but remember to keep it in its proper context. --G. Morian
Rating: 
Summary: THE Book on Wicca
Review: This volume is the best Wiccan resource I've found yet. It clearly explains the basic Wiccan beliefs such as theories of levels and polarity, outlines all the Sabbats, rituals...everything in one!
Rating: 
Summary: outdated.
Review: I really think this book (these books) didn't age well. Good as a period piece. You know, like Culpepper's herbal, which every herbalist learns but learns they shouldn't use! It will get you through, but I think the information is better served elsewhere. In otherwords, good for the collector, but if you have a budget, go with buckland, hutton, cunningham, campbell, and for perspective, Gardner. In addition, the ideas of divinity expressed are, well, read some Joseph Campbell instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Informative
Review: The Witches Bible has been instrumental in helping us learn how to construct the sabbats observed when compared with other rituals in other traditions.
Rating:
Summary: Useful, but certainly not my first choice
Review: If you're planning on joining a Gardnerian coven, read this book. If you want a detailed description of what traditional wiccan rituals are like, so that you can get inspiration from them and write your own rituals, read this book. Lots of stuff in this book wasn't for me. I am cynical of organized religion, and if I were ever to join a coven, it wouldn't be like anything described in this book. This sounded like the same stuff I was trying to get away from in catholicism...the idea that things have to be done a certain way or they aren't legitimate. The high priestess is "first among equals" followed by the high priest, then magickal partners, then the poor unpaired souls who are somehow less effective as witches because they couldn't find someone of the opposite sex who they connected to spiritually (do you have any idea how hard that is to find for anyone, let alone a witch?) If this works for some people, more power to them. Some people need structure. We all need community, whether we are in a coven or just have other freinds who are pagan. I am sick of people arguing over who is legitimate or worthy. No one should evaluate someones legitimacy except themselves, and the gods.
I wasn't bothered by the overt sexual nature of this book. I think most people who explore wicca should be mature enough to handle the fact that its a very sexual religion. That doesn't mean you have to embrace your sexuality the way they do in this book. Maybe you just want to perform private skyclad rituals, or aknowledge the sacredness of your sexual relationship with your boy/girl freind. Whatever works. Follow your bliss. Read this book with an open mind, but take it with a grain of salt. Hell, that goes for every book as far as I am concerned.
Rating: 
Summary: The Witches' Bible
Review: The pomp and arrogance of these two are indescribable. The "Do it our way or it's wrong" attitude is NOT what Wicca and Witchcraft is all about. I would not recommend this book at all. If you are a solitary witch, then this book definitely will NOT help you as it is geared toward covens and High Priestess'.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful!
Review: This book actually contains two books in one. The first part is a book on the sabbats, and explains them each in great detail. I was particularly excited that it gave rituals for each holiday. The second book is a collection of spells, rituals, tools, and other "need to know" items for beginner to intermediate users of the Craft. Also noteworthy is the clear, detailed explanation of a witches initian into the craft, and explains more about the original Book of Shadows.
Rating:
Summary: don't let the whiners influence you
Review: i had this book a while ago but i was dumb enough to let it out of my hands, personally i think this is a MUST for all wiccans, this isn't like ravenwolf or cunningham, (i'm not sayig those books are bad it's just this comes from "traditional" wiccans ) i would highly recommend it
Rating:
Summary: Skeptical
Review: Maybe it's just the religious skeptic in me, but I couldn't really get into this. The book starts off explaining some of the history/technical aspects of Wicca. Then, it goes into the Sabbats and describes, in full detail, the ceremonies involved. I found these rituals to be more than a little hokey, and I apologize to anyone reading this who takes offense. The book also deals with the philosophy of the religion, which I found to be far more involving and informative. While I agree with the stance and moral position of the Wiccan religion, I can't see myself conducting these rituals alone, in the dark, nude, and trying to light my candles while the wind blows in from the east. If, however, you're still interested in buying this book and conducting these rites, then by all means, buy this book. You probably won't be disappointed. I just wish I could say the same for me...
Rating:
Summary: FINALLY!
Review: It's about freaking time! A book devoid of fluffiness, and within its pages the older, non-new-agey form of Wicca. The original Gardnerian Wicca. I'm not trying to demean other trads, but I prefer to work with the Wicca...This book is quite lengthy, and does get dry at some parts, but the work it provides is rich... not bland, childish, watered-down b.s. common to Ravenwolf, Cunningham, and Buckland. They put forth some Jungian flair, and they don't overdo it. These are the only Jungian Wiccans that my friend can stand. It's worth your money, and around my area, it's hard to come by...
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