Rating: 
Summary: complete book of witchcraft by ray buckland
Review: I like Ray,s no nonsense approach,whether a seasoned witch or beginner(neophyte)he alway,s has tidbit,s for us allto learn from.I keep it right beside A Teen Witch & Hereditary WitchcraftI,ll tell you why ray is old style european flair S ilver is new style but my age group RAVEN writes in my strega style of old italy.Many author,s have come& GONE BUT RAY IS HERE TO STAY he is achild at heart building flying machines racing cars but his knowledge is real & he met wined& dined studied with the great witches of the old school .I firmly believe he,s a great scholar researcher high priest of the highest honor.DON,T discount what he say,s some things could save your life(stuck out on a mountain hiking )read buckland he knows his craft....
Rating: 
Summary: Not what the title claims
Review: This book is not about Witchcraft, it is about Wicca. Further, it is about VERY traditional, coven based Wicca, and therefore, is of almost no use to the lone witch that it was written for. The book makes many outrageous claims, first is the title, second that after working through the book, one can be a third degree. I don't thinks so. My group and I started out with this book. Between Samhain and Yule, we had had more than our fill of "Uncle Bucky." The book claims to provide training in Witchcraft; however, we were left dazed and confused after reading much of it, and were no closer to understanding the mysteries of Witchcraft. Rather than being a "how to" book, it is a "do it this way" book.
Rating: 
Summary: Disorganized and pompous
Review: Buckland claims his book will give you "the equivalent to a Gardnerian Third Degree," which is not only overblown, but an insult to those who work many years for such degrees. Buckland, though, has a grudge against the Gardnerian tradition, which he airs on many pages, to his book's detriment.I suppose that wouldn't be so bad if Buckland's Big Blue Sleeping Pill was a worthwhile book, but it isn't. It's so poorly organized that when referring back to it to find an item to quote, I couldn't find it! Chapters seem to have random assortments of information, and there is no index. There are some useful practical pointers -- like how to make a horned crown -- but they're all jumbled together hither and yon. There are also some dangerous and stupid ideas -- like telling the reader it's okay and expected to feel weak and drained after performing a psychic healing! (This is a good way to make the healer ill.) There are so many books out there nowadays, that buying this one is a shame.
Rating:
Summary: Outdated
Review: This book was writen many years ago to introduce people to the Gardnerian Tradition of Wicca - even the title of Bucklands book is misleading! This book CAN BE of use for everyone interested in the Gardnerian or Alexandrian Tradition of Wicca. If you look for "basic training" and good beginners books - look elswhere! The book is outdated and much to complicated!
Rating:
Summary: Thorough but dry
Review: Raymond Buckland was one of the primary people responsible for bringing Wicca into the public eye in the 20th Century. This textbook/workbook provides thorough insight into the history, theory and practice of "the craft" in the modern day world. This should be one of the core books in the library of any person who considers themselves to be a serious student of Wicca. It's value lies not only in the information imparted, but also in the valuable assignments given in each chapter that are meant to hone the students magickal (with the requisite "k") skills. The tone of the book is very serious. It doesn't quite have the conversational style of more recent authors of books on witchcraft such as Silver Ravenwolf, but it is a valuable read.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, but not the best....
Review: ... Like a lot of the other reviews here, I agree that Buckland seems to present a lot of this book as the end all, be all guide to Wicca. Everything in the book is from the position that the reader is primarily interested in Saex-Wica (the tradition he founded); there is very limited information on the other paths available, if any at all. Also, the amount of topics touched upon in the book, coupled with the lack of information presented on these topics, makes me think that the book might be a bit overwhelming to a newbie to the Craft. My only other gripe is that in my opinion, this book seems to give the impression that anyone can wake up, decide they're going to be a pagan, and form a coven with just the knowledge in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: The Beginners Essential
Review: Buckland's CompleteBook of Witchcraft is one of the most highly useful and informative texts on Wicca for seekers& beginners and those well versed in wicca. With history, herbal lore, Sabbat rites,tool & altar making,tradition overviews,initation rites,etc.Written in lesson form: with quizzes at the end of each chapter,This book can be the essential for anyone interested in Witchcraft.
Rating:
Summary: Great Range
Review: This book covers an excellent range of topics and in my opinion is a must for any serious student of Wicca. By no means is the book a tell all know all book. However it is an excellent introduction to many topics that witches should become familiar with.
The only things that keep me from giving this book 5 stars is the fact that it left me wanting more information . . . which could have been included to make one huge volume. I certainly would not have minded a larger presentation in this book, especially considering Buckland's scholarly approach. The only other thing that kept this book from getting 5 stars was Buckland's constant mentioning of his own tradition of Saxon Wicca. It almost seemed as if he was pushing it. And in a way, you can't blame him if he was.
Bottom line is that this is an excellent, well rounded book giving great introductory information on various topics.
Rating:
Summary: Unless you're looking for specific trad work, don't bother
Review: I bought this book eight years ago. It collects dust because it's just not practical unless you're looking to join Buckland's tradition of Paganism. The book is written in a "my way or the highway" attitude. The only use I ever got out of it was the different runic scripts on one page, but since then, several better books have come out that are much more helpful and more inspiring. Don't waste your money.
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad Intro, but not what it promises
Review: This is a good introduction to Wicca from a Traditonalist perspective, however, it's not what the title suggests. You can't learn all about Wicca from any book. When Buckland says you'll know everything equivalent to a Third Degree Elder, he's lying and he knows it. What this book will do is give you pretty good basic information to get you started practicing Eclectic Paganism in a Wiccan style. My only other complaint is his writing style. Rather dry and pompous. This book is frequently called "Unca Bucky's Big Blue Book of Wicca." Certainly better than some of the other intro stuff out there, but not the best either.
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