Witchcraft has a long and complicated history that has been the subject of numerous texts. These texts explore the origins and practices of witchcraft, as well as the social and cultural context in which it emerged. The study of witchcraft can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where beliefs in magic and the supernatural were prevalent. Many early texts on witchcraft focused on the religious and spiritual aspects of the practice. For example, the "Malleus Maleficarum," written in 1487 by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, was a manual for witch hunters that detailed the supposed crimes and methods of witches. It claimed that witches made pacts with the devil and were responsible for various misfortunes in society.
1 author picked The Last Witches of England as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
The novel takes inspiration from the history book about her trial by Ulinka Rublack also recommended but it goes on its own journey with the evidence. As she was drawn into the world of witchcraft, Jeanne found herself believed to be able to lift curses and began to fear that she herself might have been bewitched.
It claimed that witches made pacts with the devil and were responsible for various misfortunes in society. In the 19th and 20th centuries, scholars began to reevaluate the history of witchcraft and its significance. They sought to understand witchcraft as a cultural phenomenon rather than simply a religious one.
The Routledge History of Witchcraft
The Routledge History of Witchcraft is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary study of the belief in witches from antiquity to the present day, providing both an introduction to the subject of witchcraft and an overview of the on-going debates.
This extensive collection covers the entire breadth of the history of witchcraft, from the witches of Ancient Greece and medieval demonology through to the victims of the witch hunts, and onwards to children’s books, horror films, and modern pagans. Drawing on the knowledge and expertise of an international team of authors, the book examines differing concepts of witchcraft that still exist in society and explains their historical, literary, religious, and anthropological origin and development, including the reflections and adaptions of this belief in art and popular culture. The volume is divided into four chronological parts, beginning with Antiquity and the Middle Ages in Part One, Early Modern witch hunts in Part Two, modern concepts of witchcraft in Part Three, and ending with an examination of witchcraft and the arts in Part Four. Each chapter offers a glimpse of a different version of the witch, introducing the reader to the diversity of witches that have existed in different contexts throughout history.
Exploring a wealth of texts and case studies and offering a broad geographical scope for examining this fascinating subject, The Routledge History of Witchcraft is essential reading for students and academics interested in the history of witchcraft.
One influential text from this period is "Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic among the Azande" by E.E. Evans-Pritchard, which studied the beliefs and practices of a tribe in Africa. More recent texts on witchcraft have focused on the sociopolitical factors that contributed to the persecution of witches. For example, "The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe" by Brian P. Levack examined how the changing social and economic landscape of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries led to an increase in witch trials and executions. Overall, texts on the history of witchcraft provide a multi-faceted exploration of this complex and controversial topic. They shed light on the beliefs and practices of witches, the social and cultural context in which witchcraft emerged, and the reasons behind the persecution of witches throughout history. By studying witchcraft, scholars can gain insight into the human capacity for belief in the supernatural and the enduring power of legend and myth..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Politics: Witches as Scapegoats and Political Pawns"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Texts on the history of witchcraft" as a long-time fan of the subject. However, I found this book to be quite disappointing. The texts presented were disjointed and lacked cohesion. It felt like the author just compiled a bunch of random texts without putting much thought into how they fit together. Plus, the writing style was dry and dull, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an in-depth exploration of the history of witchcraft.
2. John - 1/5 stars - This book was a complete waste of my time and money. The texts on witchcraft were outdated and provided no new insights. It felt like I was reading a poorly researched high school essay rather than a well-written book on the subject. Furthermore, the lack of organization and structure made it difficult to follow the author's points. I had high hopes for this book, but it failed to deliver any meaningful content or analysis. Save yourself the trouble and look for a different book on the history of witchcraft.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - As someone interested in witchcraft and its historical context, I was excited to dive into "Texts on the history of witchcraft." However, I found the book to be a frustrating read. The organization of the texts was confusing, with no clear chronological order or thematic thread. It felt like a random assortment of texts that did not provide a comprehensive view of the topic. Additionally, the lack of critical analysis or interpretation made it difficult to fully grasp the significance of the included texts. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and would recommend seeking out more cohesive and insightful books on the subject of witchcraft.