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Frances Timbers
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A History of Magic and Witchcraft: Sabbats, Satan & Superstitions in the West Kindle Edition

by Frances Timbers (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 53 ratings
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The author of Magic and Masculinity explores the history and development of magic and witchcraft in Western society.
 
Broomsticks, cauldrons, familiars, and spells—magic and witchcraft conjure a vivid picture in our modern-day imagination. While much of our understanding is rooted in superstition and myth, the history of magic and witchcraft offers a window into the past. It illuminates the lives of ordinary people in the past and elucidates the fascinating pop culture of the premodern world.
 
Blowing away folkloric cobwebs, this enlightening new history dispels many misconceptions surrounding witchcraft and magic that we still hold today. From Ancient Greece and Rome to the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Era, historian Frances Timbers details the impact of Christianity and popular culture in the construction of the figure of the “witch.” The development of demonology and ceremonial magic is combined with the West’s troubled past with magic and witchcraft to chart the birth of modern Wiccan and Neopagan movements in England and North America.
 
Witchcraft is a metaphor for oppression in an age in which persecution is an everyday occurrence somewhere in the world. Fanaticism, intolerance, prejudice, authoritarianism, and religious and political ideologies are never attractive. Beware the witch hunter!
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  1. Print length
    330 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pen & Sword History
  4. Publication date
    May 9, 2019
  5. File size
    17.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frances Timbers holds a PhD in British History from the University of Toronto and has published two books on witchcraft and magic: Magic and Masculinity: Ritual Magic and Gender in the Early Modern Era and The Magical Adventures of Mary Parish: The Occult World of Seventeenth-Century London. She has also published a number of peer-reviewed journal articles. She is currently an adjunct professor at Trent University in Canada.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07RCGBW8H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword History (May 9, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 9, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 17.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 53 ratings

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Frances Timbers

Frances Timbers

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4.5 out of 5 stars
53 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Philip L. Evans
    5.0 out of 5 stars Magic Book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Just as described, I really enjoy this topic, arrived on time.
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  • Twinmom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Learning (Even Better Than Some Textbooks Over the Subject)
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is exactly the book my daughter wishes she had in her Witch Hunt Fact and Fiction class she took at her university. The book is insightful and a quick read despite it almost being 200 pages long.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Baldur Bear
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and informative
    Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a topic that I enjoy reading. This book was well written and covered a lot of ground. The author is very well versed in the topic. I am glad that I purchased this book;
    One person found this helpful
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  • Zork
    5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with historical information
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    There's more historical information here than in most books on the subject. Lots to digest but the writing flows as well as good fiction.
    Be prepared to put the book down to digest all you've read. Each section (e.g., Familiars) is a detailed overview. One comes away with a perspective on witchcraft through the centuries.
    Highly recommended for those interested in the subject.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Cynthia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible reading and resource
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2020
    Is it fair for me to say, we all believe in something? Even if we choose to believe there is no God or any religion of any kind, isn’t that alone a choice and belief? Every culture has their ideals that are passed on generation to generation. This book, A History of Magic and Witchcraft identifies the differences and takes the reader through notions that may never be introduced to them otherwise. Thankfully we have books.

    A History of Magic and Witchcraft gets a five star because it is absolutely deserving. An exquisite cover with rich content that is superbly written.

    I borrowed my digital copy from Netgalley. This particular title is sold as Hardcover, Paperback and Kindle. I do consider this book to be an incredible reading source. This book would make a wonderful addition to any library.

    A History of Magic and Witchcraft feels to me as an explanation of beliefs and where they may have originated from. How people and cultures use religion as a life force. A part of every day life and death. How Gods play a role in culture and with individuals. In their lives and how they may have developed ethics and morals from those beliefs.

    To read about Gods and Goddesses, deities and the incredible religious stories many of us have been told all our lives, in this fashion is calming. The information is laid out without hesitation to be reported as history. In comparing one set of beliefs with another highlighting different concepts, cultures and views. Be it true, fiction, fable or myth is for the reader to decide. I wont sell the beauty of this book based on my own personal beliefs. I will say this…it is written so fantastically the reader will want to take in every single word. It is also one to have in a collection to be used as reference or for resource.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kristine Fisher
    3.0 out of 5 stars A History of Magic and Witchcraft
    Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2019
    A History of Magic and Witchcraft by Frances Timbers is a free advanced reader copy of a paperback book offered to me by Pen & Sword in exchange for an honest review.

    Timbers addresses and redefines preconceived notions with a clipped, yet powerful research narration. This book also recognizes history’s references to witches, familiars, spells, and rituals throughout Europe Religions subduing witchcraft and putting it in hiding; identifying and persecuting a witch; and speaks of the Cathars, Templars, and gathering of Sabbat.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Crystal W
    5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive book on the history of magic and witchcraft
    Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020
    This book dives deep into the actual facts of magic and witchcraft, for instance the number of victims compared to the inflated numbers that are now passed around as fact. The actual timeframe rather than the poetic platitude we often hear and ascribe to (middle ages vs. scientific revolution). The book highlights the facts that most of the trials was during the time of Galileo, Descartes, and Bacon. We travel from the priests and priestesses of ancient Egypt to the present in this comprehensive publication from Frances Timbers
    This book is extremely comprehensive and absolutely worth a read if you’re a fan of either history or witchcraft. I’ve taken away many facts from this book that I did not know and also was educated about some misconceptions we’ve been taught as facts.
    Even though this is a non-fiction book, the writing is not dry, and the story is a fascinating one. It leads you on to more knowledge in such a way that you’re not mad you’re learning it.
    I definitely recommend this book for anyone who’s a history fan. Even if you think you know all about this topic, I’m here to tell you that you’ll learn something new and enjoy yourself while learning it.
    *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Info
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2020
    This is an excellent book for anyone interested in this subject matter. The author provides the reader a solid non-fiction book about the history of witches/witchcraft/magic as perceived by our society throughout history in an understandable manner. From the very roots of witchcraft through the witch hunts of earlier times through the modern day views and concepts, the book takes the reader on an invaluable journey to learn how it all came to be, why it all came to be and how it all fits together. It was fascinating to learn why certain beliefs and events occur and occurred and what the repercussions of they all are. I definitely learned innumerable things I had not known, been taught or figured out on my own, even though some of my conclusions were proven wrong in many ways. This book provides an excellent book for anyone who is interested in the subject or wants to learn more about it all, and the information is all in one place, so there is no need to go searching after other books, articles, etc. No need for deep dives anywhere else. My thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me this handy, useful reference.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Shelley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this as a Christmas gift for my daughter's boyfriend. He enjoys these types of books.
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  • Kristian Vidovic
    3.0 out of 5 stars Well...
    Reviewed in Sweden on January 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have mixed feelings about this book. I agree on the fact that it is very informative, and will tell you about many events you've probably never heard of. But the book is written from an atheistic paradigm. I was expecting to learn more about spells and sabbaths that actually took place historically (note: those were NOT "satanic"), but the author seems to dismiss everything as fantasies. The author's main purpose is to investigate how the stereotypical witch was created. So maybe the book's title is a bit misleading? Most chapters have kind of the same conclusion: "x, x and x was probably an inspiration for the creation of the witch rumors/stereotypes etc.. etc...". Nonetheless, I still recommend you to read this book, but
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  • MRSB12
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Bought as a gift. Packed with lots of fascinating information. Interesting for anyone that is fascinated in history or witchcraft.
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  • Callum
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great Book.
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