Rating: 
Summary: It's a start
Review: This book is an overview and an introduction. The information is sometime frustrating in that the author spends two paragraphs on something like ethics and ESP, and two pages on various altars (what the heck is a "stang"). In fact, there seems to be a lot of *Martha Stewart* type advice in this book (read her list of items for a magical cabinet out loud and fast!) And if you went out and bought a new notebook every time she suggested it, you would have about twenty by the time you are done. I am all for journaling, and I think journaling will add you in the study of the craft, but a dream journal, a tarot journal, a date book, a filing system, a psychic development journal, and the list goes on! Further, none of these things has anything to do with witchcraft.She seems to treat magical ritual in a very fluffy style. She talks about performing a drawing down the moon ritual while walking her dog. I don't think so. Where she discusses magic and ritual the information is very light. But she will give you a detailed description on how to decorate your home with brooms. Take it for what it is worth, an introduction. Some of the advice is good, some is bad, and some doesn't make sense at all. One strength of this book is the *suggestions for further reading* at the end of each chapter, which will give the student witch other places to go for information. Start with this book, but continue to read and grow. This book is a starting point, not an end, and defiantly not the last word.
Rating: 
Summary: Shudderingly horrid
Review: Everything that is wrong with many books on Wicca is embraced herein. Here is a sappy religion, with a poor theology, which seems to be based on feelings and happiness. Don't expect Ravenwolf's words to comfort you when you face loss or get you through the bad times. This is truely "religion lite" and not worth the money. if nothing else, the fact that her own words contradict each other every few pages should clue you in!!
Rating: 
Summary: Take it from a High Priestess
Review: I'm getting a little tired of these negative reviews. It's easy to say that something is rubbish when you don't understand it. Silver Ravenwolf is the ideal author of books on the Craft. She writes in a plain, straightforward manner that is extremely easy to understand. If you are having trouble working the spells she sets forth it is very easy to blame her isn't it? I'm a seventh generation hereditary and High Priestess and i think this book is absolutely brilliant. It has everything you need.
Rating:
Summary: To Ride a Silver Broomstick
Review: Silver Ravenwolf made studying very easy with this book. The pages flowed together easily. There are reading lists for each chapter which helped to understand as well as a good cross refference point. This book is great for those who are just starting out. I found that this book was easy to follow and well put together. Her greatest study book yet.
Rating:
Summary: A book for beginners and intermediate witches
Review: Overall I love Silver RavenWolf's books. She has a good mix in this book of beginner information (the basics of the Craft, beliefs, tools, festivals, some history), but also has information for the veteran practitioner and more experienced witches. My only complaint about her book is her tendency to include more technical information and make it sound as though it's necessary. Silver is a Third Degree Witch within the Black Forest Clan and has years of experience in her Craft. This book will give you a good, thorough background in the Craft, information on a more in depth practice, lots of resources and information, and will show you how Wicca and magic can be a part of your daily life. Bottom line: a little technical in parts, but a great foundation book for beginners and some advanced information for intermediates. Blessed Be!
Rating: 
Summary: Ok, but not my favorite
Review: I've noticed their are people who either absolutely love Silver Ravenwolf or can't stand her. I ended up somewhere in the middle. This book is informative, but at times it got a little preachy. I learned a bit from it, but it definitely isn't a book I go back to again and again. Check out the writings of Scott Cunningham before you read this book.
Rating:
Summary: a good book
Review: This is a good book, wich if anything holds a person's hand a bit too much. At somepoint, though, you need to step out on your own, and, yes, fall a few times. Never at any point does she give a reader this chance. Also there is not enough theory to encourage the understanding for a well-worked ritual. On the whole, though, this is a non-threatening book good for beginners in the Craft =)
Rating:
Summary: A Sorry Excuse For A Book About Wicca
Review: Fans of Silver Ravenwolf will never give up on her, but to me, the truth is obvious. Some people want Wicca spoon-fed to them, in a homogenized, simple formula. Lucky for Silver & writer like her, this is easy to do: just get a bunch of other recently published, light-weight books & quote from them. Don't bother with the serious, well-written books; it's too much trouble! When are Wiccans going to realize that anyone can write this stuff & make it up as they go along?? To be a student of Wicca takes some effort & some thinking. Just because you read a Silver Ravenwolf "book", doesn't mean you've done your homework. Serious students of Wicca laugh at this book & all the others like it. NOT EVEN WORTH ONE STAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: great for beginners
Review: if you already know about wicca this isn't the book for you. But I believe Ravenwolf's style is perfect for beginners. She keeps things on a personal level and moves slowly to give you time to absorb all the information. It's almost as if you're sitting there having a cup of tea with her.
Rating:
Summary: It seems good until you learn a few things.
Review: This is the first book I read when I started off on my path as a Pagan Witch (note: not Wiccan). I thought it was pretty decent and wondered why people thought it was crap....until I had a few more books under my belt. The reason becomes quite clear. The book, simply put, is only so-so as a beginner's book. It's OKAY. There are better, there are worse. This one in particular leans towards the "Fluffy Bunny" side pretty heavily. (Fluffy as in taking up lots of space but having little substance) There are several things about "Mamma Silver" I dislike intensely [...] Mainly, her smugness in her superiority. This manifests itself several ways, for example the insulting term "Once Borns" used to describe Christians in this book. Another example is her little quote on her site regarding her Teen Witch book: "Call 1-800-XXX-XXXX to place your order, or bug, bother and pester your neighborhood book store till they can't stand it any more. Oh, and for the adults that don't like this statement? Maybe you don't care about their future, but I do." To me this isn't about someone's future, it's about common courtesy - she pretty much demands crews of teenagers harass booksellers into carrying her book. This indicates to me that she has a lot less concern for things like free will and courtesy than she has for things like money, and more money. "Momma Silver" indeed! All in all, I feel the nickname "$ilver" is appropriate for this author. This book is okay to read just so you can judge for yourself, but make sure you read several other "beginner" books before you decide to purchase any more Ravenwolf books. There is not one useful thing in this book that isn't presented a lot more thoughtfully and with beter references elsewhere. And honestly, I had a hard time *giving* away my copy.
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