Rating: 
Summary: How can I like this book so much?
Review: The history is based on an outdated understanding of the European witch hunts and on the now-discredited theories of Margaret Murray. It's an excellent picture of the Wiccan sacred history myth, but that myth is about as factual as Genesis 1. (For scholarly perspectives, try Ronald Hutton or Prudence Jones and Nigel Pennick.)A number of the initiatory rites Buckland describes involve some very risky practices, and the sensory-deprivation techniques he presents can be incredibly dangerous in inexperienced hands. I'm not talking spiritual danger here, either -- I'm talking broken necks. There are a few references to the ingestion or topical application of herbs; medical herbalists I know have discouraged me from following Buckland's instructions on the grounds that they're potentially dangerous. Having warned my friends of all the above concerns, I then press my tattered copy into their hands. I don't know why I do that -- perhaps because this is the book from which many of those who came to the Craft fifteen years ago learned what we were doing. Perhaps because the quizzes, though hokey, reinforce the notion that the Wiccan faith requires knowledge and study. Perhaps because Buckland's seminal role in the Pagan movement in America makes it important to know what he believed and taught, even when those beliefs and teachings seem outmoded. Maybe it's just the amusement value of the dreadfully earnest instructions for making an antlered helmet out of a salad bowl.
Rating: 
Summary: Informative and Interesting
Review: This is designed to be a study guide. It has quizzes at the end of each chapter. Not a bad idea if you wish to retain the information, but a lot of it is one-sided and irrelevent if you are a solitary. However, Buckland does give a great overview of the history of Witchcraft in the first chapter. If nothing else in the book is worth reading, that chapter certainly is. I think this is a book that every practitioner should have, it does have some useful informtion in between the pages. Like Scott Cunningham says: You have to read everything, the good books and the bad books. Although in no way, is this a 'bad' book, it is sure one that should be read.
Rating: 
Summary: Buckland's Witchcraft: It showed me the path.
Review: Finally! A book that helped me! There is now a book that presents witchcraft in a learning manner. This book lead me through each step of becoming a witch, and taught me pretty much everything I needed to know. It didn't just show me one particular branch of witchcraft, either, it showed them all... and showed how they differ and each of their beleifs. It compared being a solitary practicioner to practicing in a coven. It presented all sides of controversy from other viewpoints besides his own. It gave me step by step instructions on how to make different tools of the craft. This book showed everything I needed to know. It is the perfect book for beginners, as well as experienced practicioners. It's also a great read for a non-Wiccan! All in all... I would have to say this is an extraordinary book for all adults, and even teens, like me, who are interested in the Craft!
Rating:
Summary: Great reference
Review: Although Ray Buckland's book lacks a lot of information on the spiritual side of Wicca it is a great reference book. Although very Gardnerian and coven based, the rituals can be easily adapted to fit the solitary practitioner who is of a different tradition. I wouldn't recommend this book for those just starting, but for those that are more familiar with the basics and have had some prior exposure to Witchcraft. I suggest starting out with Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner." If interested in Alexandrian or Gardnerian Wicca, then move on to Silver Ravenwolf, this book, and then try the books by the Farrars. One downside to the book was the quizzes. The quizzes were a bit knit-picky, but they at least helped get some of the information across to the reader. As others have mentioned, Buckland does quote himself quite often, but usually these quotes are in the margin and if they don't reenforce and idea, they at least make for a good laugh. I will give Buckland a lot of credit for not "dumbing-down" the material for the average 13 year old as some writers have. Wiccan books don't always have to be written for the teenager and I'm glad Buckland maintained a writing proficiency level that agrees with most adults. Although not a "complete" book, it is a good starting point for many subjects like talismans, tarot, astrology, and herbalism. Overall, a great book. I recommend it to any student of Wicca, particularly ones interested in Gardnerian and like traditions.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I found this book very interesting and informative. It covers many many subjects including herbs, divination, spell casting, rituals, and more. Also, there was some review about him promoting Gardners made up religion. News Flash: All religions are "made up" They all came from somewhere. People aren't born with religion and hello, before Jesus came, his teachings weren't there and you could say therefore that when he came he "made up" a religion. In any case, for anyone who's truly interested in the craft, I'd recommend this book, but not as a complete source since some subjects should be covered in more depth than he gave them.
Rating:
Summary: A WITCH LIBRARY!
Review: Every witch needs a LIBRARY! This book is a must have. This was my first witchcraft book. It is a Text book on witchcraft. It read like a text book and that is the only reason I give it 4 stars. There are six books I think every Witch has to have in there library 1. Scott Cunningham Wicca A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner 2. Scott Cuningham Living Wicca A Further Guide For the Solitary Practitioner 3. Slver Ravenwolf To Ride A Silver Broomstick 4. Silver RavenWolf To Stir A Magick Cauldron 5. Silver RavenWolf To Light A Sacred Flame and 6. RAYMOND BUCKLAND BUCKLAND'S COMPLETE BOOK OF WITCHCRAFT. After I have read Scott Cunningham books on Witchcraft I picked up Mr. Buckland book and I enjoyed it the second time around. I have bought most of Raymond Buckland work and love them all mostly his Gypsy books. I just take what I need and forget the rest. Be an ECLECTIC witch. There are more than just one Kind of Witch (Celtic, Gypsy, Egyptian,Native American and ETC....
Rating: 
Summary: Even when I was a Wiccan this was a dopy book.
Review: Baby's first book of witchcraft is the stuff of mockery. When people in an occult bookstore are making fun of you, you know you gotta get a life. Unfortunately Buckland makes money off of the geekster set so he doesn't need to get a real job. What is this book? It's the Gerald Gardner school of Wicca dumbed down for mass consumption. Pictures of tables, silly quizzes (what do you do when you see a movie on television about evil witches? You write them a stern letter saying that you don't like Hansel & Gretal and find it offensive.) and ceremonies that just don't work, or if they do work don't do anything. I mean maybe spinning a string around in a circle is going to center you but I had a yoyo in the 70s and that was enough string magick for me, thank you very much. Buckland spends most of his time lauding the virtues of witches throughout the ages, when witches (like Satanists) are largely Christian fantasy to pass the time when there weren't any Jews around to kill. Pagan practices were always absorbed into Christianity for the most part and there are plenty of saints who began their careers as local deities. His only source material is Gardner and even if he believes Gardner implicitly, no one else does. Buckland's ascribing witches as the herbalists par excellence is part of the whole holistic medicine movement (because if the chemo isn't going to get rid of your cancer, rolling around in horse poop might) and his sex magick chapter seems pointless, except it does have some interesting line drawings. Other chapters are just silly. Overall, this is the average clueless hippie trying to make tell the world how to behave. He's also trying to play off the made up traditions of Gardner in order to achieve his goals. Unfortunately there's really nothing to recommend in this book. Read Starhawk for a spiritual Wiccan, Gardner for the source material and Margot Adler for a serious study (including her belief that many of these ceremonies started out as a joke but then got serious)
Rating:
Summary: A good starting point
Review: I picked up the book initially on the recommendations of friends and found it has some very good information for those just starting in the craft. I'm a bit more experienced that those this book is aimed at, but I use it for a reference book as the information is easy to find and well paced. I don't use everything in the book, but I recommend it to those who ask "Where do I start?".
Rating:
Summary: Beginner stuff
Review: There are WAY too many beginner books on the market today, but this one deserves to be there. Kind of a strange read, I've heard Buckland accused of writing 'cookbooks', but I still find myself looking things up in it. I recommend it to anyone that doesn't know where to begin. I don't follow the Path that he outlines here, but he isn't dogmatic about it. Useful info, handy tips, big enough that I can find it in a poorly lit room.
Rating:
Summary: Ray Buckland is awesome!
Review: I have had this book and studied it and worked from it for 12 years. Shortly after I got this book, I had some questions, so I wrote a letter to the address given in the book. In return I got an actual, hand written letter, from the author himself! He has alot of heart! He takes his work seriously is is there when you need him!
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