The Oxford History of Witchcraft and Magic

Owen Davies

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English

Oxford University Press
20 April 2023

General & world history; Religion & beliefs; Alternative belief systems; Occult studies; Magic, alchemy & hermetic thought; Witchcraft

Series: The Oxford History of...

Histories you can trust.

This 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.

Edited by: Owen Davies
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 196mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 26mm
Weight: 306g
ISBN: 9780192884053
ISBN 10: 0192884050
Series: The Oxford History of...
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 20 April 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Owen Davies is Professor of Social History at the University of Hertfordshire. He has written extensively on the history of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and popular medicine, including The Haunted: A Social History of Ghosts (2007), Grimoires: A History of Magic Books (2009), Paganism: A Very Short Introduction (2011), Magic: A Very Short Introduction (2012), and most recently America Bewitched: The Story of Witchcraft after Salem (2013).

Reviews for The Oxford History of Witchcraft and Magic

As well as a masterly summary of Voltaires life, the reader gains a much better understanding of 18th-century France and Europe. * David Lorimer, Network Review * An absorbing and illuminating study... Owen Davies succeeds in delivering an excellent, extremely useful work. * Clive Prince, Magonia Review * Another quality book from Oxford University Press ... a goldmine for anyone looking for information on witchcraft and magic and perhaps those looking for inspiration and some unusual little fact or nugget if they want to dabble in some fiction involving witches or magicians, dark or otherwise. * Ian Hunter, Concatenation * The breadth of knowledge shown here is impressive ... It informs, shocks, repulses and entertains ... a scholarly and impressive work * On Magazine (Yorkshire) * Comprehensive and impeccably researched, but also well written and fascinating to read... * Bad Witch * readable and compelling ... this ambitious project presents a helpful... contribution that should find a home as supplemental reading material in relevant undergraduate courses. * Jodie Ann Vann, Nova Religio *