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Rating: 
Summary: Good Introduction to the History of Magic and Witchcraft
Review: The "Eycyclopedia of Magic and Witchcraft" is an excellent illustrated introductory history of magic, witchcraft, and the occult. It is by far one of the best I've seen. It is intended for those who presumably have little background in these subjects, but is just as enjoyable for anyone already aquainted with magic and the occult. It traces the history of magic and spiritual beliefs from prehistory to modern times, highlighting a number of important topics along the way. The book begins with an introduction to shamanism and other early magical beliefs from which all others would evolve over thousands of years. It highlights magic in the anicent and classical worlds, particularly Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Celtic, and Northern European beliefs. It investigates the role of magic and witchraft in the rise of ancient and modern religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddism, Hinduism, and Shintoism, as well as the role of witch doctors and magic healers throughout history, well into modern times. It also addresses the influence of magic on science and how magic, science, and religion are more closely related then many might think. It devotes an entire chapter to the history of the European witch hunts from 1450-1750 and the various impact magical beliefs played in accusations of witchery. It also devotes several sections to the idea of high magic and alchemy and its links with NeoPlatonist philosophy. The last few chapters of the book deal with modern magic and witchcraft history and beliefs, particularly Neo-Paganism and Wicca, but also address other issues as Satanism, Druidry, and modern shamanism. The book is objective in its history and does not succumb to the polemic pitfalls of many other histories of this kind. Though this is only a lightly treated intro to this subject, it is one that I highly recommend.
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