Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Book on Witchcraft
Review: This was truly a wonderful read. I haven't read a book on the magickal arts this good since reading 'Memetic Magic' by Kirk Packwood. I am a solo witch, and this book me taught a lot of new techniques and allowed me to piece together some things which I had only suspected before. If you are only going to buy one book on witchcraft, this should probably be the one.
I am very glad I bought this one!
Rating:
Summary: A wealth of knowledge for neophyte to seasoned Witch.
Review: Buckland's "Blue Bible" as it is commonly known among many Witches does indeed offer the perspective from one stance of Witchcraft; however, he does not limit the readers in how they may interpret, and encourages free thought and analysis of ritual and deity. The rituals he gives are clear, concise, and beautifully crafted, and Sabbat ritual and information, coupled with magickal alphabets, divination, and deity concepts make this book a welcome addition to any Witch's bookshelf.
While admittedly, there are procedures and rituals which "eclectic" Witches or Wiccans may find illogical or even inappropriate, they are nonetheless a valuable source for traditional Witchcraft and for eclectic seeking to get "back to the basics". As a further bonus, he does not (like some other pagan writers) simply give a ritual or procedure, but explains the need and meaning of it, and leaves no room for questions in the "how-to's".
I've been practicing Witchcraft for years now, and in all my studies Buckland's Blue Bible is undoubtedly one of my favorite (and most valuable) resources. He is to tradition what Cunningham is to eclectic, not only a source of information but a source of *personable* information.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have for Traditionalists
Review: Some of these reviews make me shake my head. Buckland is an elder of a tradition that is hierarchical and lineaged, and as such deserves to be read with serious intent and respect, despite personal opinion (much as you would listen to your boss at work or your sergeant in the Army). If you do not understand this, you do not truly understand Wicca.
Rating:
Summary: Great start!
Review: This book is a perfect start for anyone interested in the study of wicca. Its perfect, well orginized and easy to read. Its not too wordy or dry. But it is for the more serious of readers.
Its a great start to wicca for sure. Dont let yourself down, own this book first, then work your way to other books. As always with wicca, form your own views! Dont take everything in this book as goddess word! But it is a great broad study- highly recomended! It even touches on Pyschic ablities in easy to read format for those who are not skilled in the area!
A must read!
Rating:
Summary: Informative, educational, functional......
Review: This is a wonderful book and a quality product from Mr. Buckland. I enjoy his style of writing. Not fluffy at all. Gives a good, general overview of what's involved in wicca, particularly of the Gardnerian tradition. As stated in a previous review, Mr. Buckland does like to quote himself but usually those quotes are quite relative to the material he's covering in Big Blue. I enjoyed how thorough he was and the variety of topics he covered. Usually, most books will touch lightly on a topic and then leave it up to the reader to research it more, which is not a bad idea in any case. However, it is nice to just get a complete overview of what wicca is and what exactly is involved.
I feel this book could be used for someone just starting out in the Craft, or as a good review for those that have been practicing a while. The little "exams" at the end of each chapter are quite nit-picky but I actually found them to be enjoyable. Let's you kinda see how much you really learned! Anyway, this book is a must-have reference for any library and I feel good about being able to recommend it without any drawbacks.
Rating:
Summary: A serious guide
Review: This book really impressed me with the level of seriousness and maturity it had toward the subject of witchcraft. The book doesn't rigidly follow any specific tradition, but it is heavily influenced by Seax-Wicca and to a lesser degree the Gardenarian tradition. Ecclectic wiccans who feel they have nothing to learn from these traditions will probably find the book stifling and uniteresting. People who want to increase the knowledge of wicca will find the book to have a lot of depth and information that isn't available in most of the books being published today. Buckland includes in this book a lot of things that are typically left out of the newer books on witchcraft. One example is that he includes instructions on how to hake your own athame. It's a long, and potentially dangerous process that most authors don't seem to feel comfortable including. The other thing that he includes, that I was greatful for, is a small ritual for when a coven member dies. This is this first time I've seen anything of the sort. Generally, when I read about death in books on wicca it talks exclusively on reicarnation, and that people die when they've learned all that they have to learn in this life, but there's never any sort of funeral ritual at all. There are so many things included in this book to make it more than worth the cover price. There's even an appendix for music. Any serious student of Witchraft will have a lot to gain from this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A nice attempt but...
Review: Raymond Buckland, having been initiated and ordained by Gerald Gardner, who (quite frankly) claimed initiation and ordaination by an old Witch who was long dead (his creditials thereby questionable), never quite managed to gain my respect in the Magickal world.
This book, while chocked full of information, is also written from a narrow point of view. There is much information in this work with which I cannot agree. His variation of Wicca is not only heavily Gardenarian, but also smacks of trite and sometimes superior statements which degrades the value of the work.
While it tries to include everything, this is a dry work which lacks exuberance. It is systematic in that it feels like it is bound by its own restrictions. It is methodical as it maintains the same inconsistencies throughout. And it is plodding as it trudges one by one through what should be joyous rites and celebrations.
Frankly, I was not impressed.
Rating: 
Summary: Not complete, but pretty darn informative
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It was set up very well, the information (excluding the history in the beginning) was wonderful, and manner it was presented in was very forthright and easy to understand.
I particularly enjoyed the lack of waffling and the fact that the author genuinely believes in what he writes. If I read one more book on witchcraft that has an author second guessing themselves in the name of political (or religious, I suppose) correctness, I'm going to scream.
Luckily, with this book, I am scream free.
Great for beginners but must be followed up with other books on witchcraft. (As with all books on the craft, really...)
Rating:
Summary: Good for Beginners, but could be Overwhelming
Review: Yes yes the first book I bought on the craft when I was starting off was "Big Blue". It is the "first book of witchcraft" your text book if you will. But I know for me, when I started reading through it, I was a little overwhelmed, and more than one time I just walked away from it. I think that its important to state that this book is Gardenerian slanted, and that there are many many many other ways to be a pagan and practice your craft.
I guess in the end, your gonna want this book for your library, but be aware that you dont' have to follow it word for word, as this is your life, and you can praise the Goddess whoever you like.
Rating:
Summary: Kobolds Laying the Smack Down at Burgermaster
Review: This book is the ultimate Witches Manual, the first is the best. It gives you specific details on monsters. Being that I only have 2 hit points, I have to pick my monsters carefully. Once, while at Burgermaster, a kolbold threw a burger at me with his sling. He rolled a 20, a critical hit, and the burger did 2x the normal damage, knocking me out for 2 hp! As I lay unconcious, a gelatinous cube slowly slimed my burger and fries up. When I came to, I saw him slowly digesting my burger and fries and I exclaimed "How rude!" But the Gelatinous cube just rumbled his gelationous bulbous stomach at me. I would have kicked it's ass, but luckily the Monster Manual told me that would've been a bad idea to use my hands. So instead I used my bic lighter and he apologized for eating my combo #1.
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