An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present

Rating:
Summary: A terrific reference book
Review: A great reference book- set up in an "encyclopedia" style- it is informative, has a lot of history information. I like to just pick it up and read the short excerps on various Witchcraft subjects.

Rating:
Summary: Superb resource!
Review: All of Valiente's works are truly gems, and an ABC of Witchcraft is an excellent resource for anyone interested in Witchcraft, Wicca, or paganism.

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Summary: A well-researched read that does what it claims to!
Review: Another wonderful work by Doreen Valiente! This "ABC of Witchcraft" is an encyclopedic read which provides hundreds of brief explanations of various mysteries of witchcraft. The book is one long chapter of different subjects in alphabetical order, and the short but clearly well-researched articles are usually a very informative introduction to varying curiousities. Some included topics are Faeries, Vampires, and Werewolves (to name three that I found most interesting). By writing on these topics from a witch's point of view, Valiente succeeds in dispelling more widely accepted explanations for the mysteries by providing an interpretation not distorted by the Judeo-Christian spectacle through which much of the modern world is viewed, therefore muddling the history and shadowing the truth of such mysteries. This is a nice supplement to any witch's book collection, and a great thing about it is that you don't have to read it all the way through so you can pick it up or put it down whenever you want. However, it should be noted that this is not a guidebook for beginners, though the title may suggest otherwise.

Rating:
Summary: it is a dictionary on witchcraft
Review: excellant dictionary on each subject pertaining to witchcraft from the meaning of each sabbat, to the history of famous/infamous people in the world of witchcraft. i recommmend it to novice and magus alike. even the curious will find it interesting reading. i have been a practicing witch for 14 years, and i have not found one book to surpass this one.

Rating:
Summary: Witchcraft and wizardry: The Compleat history!!
Review: For me, this book was not only thorough, but easy to read and interesting. There were moments that I thought the book was a bit slow, but hey, nothing informative is going to be 100% interesting all the way through. But on a whole, this was a great book to learn about the origins and history of witchcraft. Beginners should definetly get this book and really realize what being a witch was like in the past and how we should appreciate how far we have come since than.

Rating:
Summary: Very Educational
Review: I liked this book a lot. When I told some of my fellow Pagans what book I was reading, I got quite a few looks...but the looks were worth it, because this book is really very educational & I liked it a lot. If you're looking for spells & Sabbat rituals, this isn't it. But if you're looking for something to read that doesn't have a "get rich quick" spell in it, this book is for you!

Rating:
Summary: The First Step on a Beautiful Path
Review: In 1975 I was a student in Michigan when it came to me: "Witchcraft has gotten a lot of bad press". I went to the college library and there I found "An ABC of Withcraft Past and Present" by Doreen Valiente. I felt as though I had come home. Until I opened that book, I thought that no one saw the Universe as I did. What a wonderful surprise! The book is concise and complete, written for anyone who wants to know what withcraft is all about. It gives information without requiring the reader to buy into everything that is presented. I will be forever grateful for the life of Doreen Valiente. Her books have truly set me on a beautiful path.

Rating:
Summary: One Of Witchcrafts Greatest writers Greatest Book
Review: Out of all the writers out there doing books, Doreen Valiente is in my opinion (and I think millions of others) the best out there. This book covers so many diffrent subjects in a direct to the point manner. I have read this book many times and am still learning new things from it. I don't care how long you been in the craft, or how much you think you know, you will find this book a great refrence and a must have. Buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Problematic but worth every cent
Review: There are a few turns of phrase and comments in this book that don't ring quite true, but on the whole it is a decent book.
It must be read in the context it was written in, however, and that makes it a bad book for the rank amateur.
However, if you've been practicing or reseaching a while, this book is just the thing to gauge your beliefs!
It probably should be in every Witch's library, just not the first book on the first shelf.

Rating:
Summary: Certainly a Must Have
Review: This book is certainly a must have for all those interested in Wytchcraft, Wicca or even Paganism in general. This book reads like a reference book of numerous Craft related topics - albeit some very British in nature.

With Valiente being one of the most respected experts on the Craft, each topic is well researched and explained. From Sabbats to people involved in the Craft (both famous and infamous) - from ancient sites to ancient British customs. Valiente succeeds in dispelling more widely accepted explanations for the mysteries by providing an interpretation not distorted by the Judeo-Christian spectacle through which much of the modern world is viewed, therefore muddling the history and shadowing the truth of such mysteries.

This book is a reference book that should appears on the shelves of both beginners and experienced Crafters alike.