The Oxford illustrated history of witchcraft and magic

Davies, Owen, 1969- (editor.).

Summary: This richly illustrated history provides a readable and fresh approach to the extensive and complex story of witchcraft and magic. Telling the story from the dawn of writing in the ancient world to the globally successful Harry Potter films, the authors explore a wide range of magical beliefs and practices, the rise of the witch trials, and the depiction of the Devil-worshipping witch. The book also focuses on the more recent history of witchcraft and magic, from the Enlightenment to the present, exploring the rise of modern magic, the anthropology of magic around the globe, and finally the cinematic portrayal of witches and magicians, from The Wizard of Oz to Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Record details

ISBN: 9780199608447 (hardcover) :
Physical Description: print
viii, 310 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: Oxford ; Oxford University Press, 2017.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 281-288) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

1. Magic in the ancient world / Peter Maxwell-Stuart -- 2. Medieval magic / Sophie Page -- 3. The demonologists / James Sharpe -- 4. The witch trials / Rita Voltmer -- 5. The witch and magician in European art / Charles Zika -- 6. The world of popular magic / Owen Davies -- 7. The rise of modern magic / Owen Davies -- 8. Witchcraft and magic in the age of anthropology / Robert J. Wallis -- 9. Witches on screen / Willem de Bl©♭court.