Rating: 
Summary: The 'Big Blue Book' beginner's guide to Wicca.
Review: Raymond Buckland is the man who brought Alexandrian Wicca to North America in the '70s, and one would hope his book would be better than it is. This is a rank beginner's book which is a good reference for how-tos, cookbook-style rituals, and very little of the spirituality and connection with Goddess and God that is the foundation of that ritual. If you're a beginner, it's not a bad place to start--it'll tell you the basics, clearly and succinctly. But you should also try Starhawk's "Spiral Dance," and maybe even Babe on a Broomstick (whoops, I mean "To Ride a Silver Broomstick") by Ravenwolf, even though that's not much better. That one's got more philosophy and feeling, this one has more "how-tos." If you want a solid grounding in eclectic Wicca, try Scott Cunningham's "Wicca for the Solitary Practioner."
Rating:
Summary: Nuts and bolts with a few extras
Review: This book is set up like a workbook. After each chapter is exerices and/or quizes, with the answers in the back of the book.
There is an appendix of Wicca deominations--with a breif history and beleif summery of each, songs, and recommended reading list.This book has all the basics, like the Wheel of the year, basic philosophy, tools, spells, and rituals. It also has some things that are not so basic (and that I don't recommend and the author strongly cautions!) like what he terms "Witches' Cradle", a form of sensory deprivation using a form of binding of the body. There are other historical tidbits as well. This book also has several magickal alphabets, a bit on herbs, a dream interpetaion section I still find very useful, and ideas for covens or solitary practice. This book is for the novice, or a refresher. Would probably be ideal for the person who has 'looked into witchcraft', and has decided to start studying in depth. It does make a GREAT refrence book, as Mr. Buckland has provided with extensive basic knowledge with the 'lingo' to aid in finding resources for further studies.
Rating: 
Summary: Proceed with Caution
Review: Buckland was one of the first people to really bring awareness to the Craft in the United States. Unfortunately, he was also ludicrously egotistical. This book's "History" section is a lie from beginning to end---Craft practicioners need to realize that their religion is not thousands of years old or some secret handed-down tradition from generation to generation. We're new, folks. Deal with it. Buckland is also, if I may quote my good friend Sannion here, "nauseatingly self-referential". You'll find he quotes his own books far more often than any even remotely modest human being would, and he often goes into an extremely dismissive tone when talking about anything that isn't directly related to his interpretation of the craft. The herbal section might help you out, as could the rituals, but I recommend avoiding this thing like the plague if you've got a more than basic understanding of Wicca.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Review--Some Good & Some Bad.
Review: This was the first Buckland book I bought, and will probably be the last. I cannot say this book was not full of information because it was...on various subjects. However, I would suggest that if you're a beginner you start with something a little simpler. I enjoyed the information in the book, but took most of it with a grain a salt (no pun intended)--mostly the herbal information. Always check with a doctor before taking any herb internally. This book covered a lot, and it gave me some ideas about things I wanted explore more. However, I felt put out by Buckland's "my way (tradition) or the highway" attitude throughout the book. His constant quoting of himself bothered me as well. For a somewhat in depth look at lots of areas of study, or an introduction to one tradition, I'd suggest this book. For a beginner or someone not interested in a tradition I would not. I do feel I got my money's worth...even if it was only to help me realize some of what I didn't agree with, along with the basics for other areas of study.
Rating: 
Summary: AWESOME Beginners book
Review: Buckland's Complete Book Of Witchcraft is just what it says it is, a COMPLETE book of Witchcraft. Obviously made for the student, it covers many important points in the whole of Witchcraft such as Herbalisism, History, Craft Names, Sabbats, Divination, and most importantly, the many practices of Magick. After a lesson, there are workbook questions given on the learning points covered in that lesson. This makes it extremely hard for a beginner not to understand the lesson, while also making it easy to remember the lesson. One note: a serious student may wish to buy a tape recorder or digital voice recorder for the questions as it is much easier to talk than write. If any person has bought the book and found it too technical, I suggest also buying beginner's books from Scott Cunningham, as he covers more of the spiritual aspects of the Craft. Overall, this book must honestly be considered a "must-have" for a Witch's bookshelf. -Ingrid
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, just don¿t get a big head.
Review: This is THE book of Wicca. Covers so much ground in a way that most can understand. I'm not a follower of Uncle Buck's flavor, but I found that after reading this that I was given the false impression that I was a big shot Witch.
If you are reading this as a solo Witch, I would highly recommend that you find a group. There are many good covens out there, spend a few seconds on the web (Might I recommend C.U.U.P.s). A good group should be able to give you pride in you religion with out treating you like a newbie.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome for beginners who know nothin about witchcraft/magic
Review: This book is the perfect book for anyone who is interested in wicca - witchcraft - or even magic. It is an easy read and well organized book that carries you through the different aspects of wicca. My only complaint is that some of the chapters do not do into enough detail and the astrology section seemed weak. otherwise 4 stars for a well layed out and easy to read book.
Rating:
Summary: I have had this book for a good 10 years now ....
Review: This is one of those books that just hangs around your self, always ready to share something new to the read each time they read it. For people who and I shall quote "We are new folks deal with it"
LOL
A look back at basic history of just a few hundred years would would and will tell you different. The history section of this book could be a bit deeper. In fact I fell perhaps the history is the weakest part of this book. Everything past that is very simple to understand and follow.
Think of a text book, where at the end of a chapter there where questions to be asked about what you have just read. BINGO, that is this book.
Taking "teaching" of Wicca out of the backwoods and putting it at your finger tips.
If your old enough to have children and feel you want to introduce them to the art, then this book would fit very well with your teachings.
That is the reason why I have order this book again, so my child may have her own, to learn from, much like I have and continue too.... Why only 4 stars ? Each is to own with things, I found that people should learn more about the history of the art before doing anything else. This book could use a bit more depth as I have already stated.
Rating:
Summary: Proceed with Caution
Review: Buckland was one of the first people to really bring awareness to the Craft in the United States. Unfortunately, he was also ludicrously egotistical. This book's "History" section is a lie from beginning to end---Craft practicioners need to realize that their religion is not thousands of years old or some secret handed-down tradition from generation to generation. We're new, folks. Deal with it. Buckland is also, if I may quote my good friend Sannion here, "nauseatingly self-referential". You'll find he quotes his own books far more often than any even remotely modest human being would, and he often goes into an extremely dismissive tone when talking about anything that isn't directly related to his interpretation of the craft. The herbal section might help you out, as could the rituals, but I recommend avoiding this thing like the plague if you've got a more than basic understanding of Wicca.
Rating: 
Summary: One-statement review.
Review: I remember being about to buy this book, I looked inside it to see what this writer had to say about what colors symbolized; I put the book back on the shelf after he reading the generalization of the color black as representing evil.
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