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  • A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult

  • Written by: DK
  • Narrated by: Susie Riddell
  • Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (9 ratings)

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A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult cover art

A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult

Written by: DK
Narrated by: Susie Riddell
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Publisher's Summary

Discover the beguiling history of witchcraft, magic, and superstition through the centuries and across the world in this stunning audiobook.

A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult charts the extraordinary narrative of one of the most interesting and often controversial subjects in the world - from ancient animal worship and shamanism, through alchemy and divination to modern Wicca and the resurgence of the occult in 21st-century literature, cinema, and television.

Providing listeners with a comprehensive, balanced, and unbiased account of everything from Japanese folklore and Indian witchcraft to the differences between black and white magic, and dispelling myths such as those surrounding the voodoo doll and Ouija, this audiobook explores the common human fear of and fascination with spells, superstition, and the supernatural.

The perfect introduction to magic and the occult, it explores forms of divination from astrology and palmistry to the tarot and runestones, mystical plants and potions such as mandrake, the presence of witchcraft in literature from Shakespeare's Macbeth to the Harry Potter series, and the ways in which magic has interacted with religion.

The most comprehensive history of witchcraft available, A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult will enthrall and fascinate you with its lavish, accessible entries, whether you are a believer or skeptic.

©2020 Dorling Kindersley Ltd (P)2020 DK Audio

What the critics say

“This book provides a fascinating overview of the history of magic, with some emphasis on witchcraft and the occult, presented in an easily browsed, highly visual format.” (Booklist)

What listeners say about A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

I will definitely listen to it again just for fun. History is a great way to build a foundation for one's spiritual practice. This audio book makes it fun to learn. Easily 5 stars.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

I liked it didn’t love it.

I think this book would be better if I owned the original with it. Without it it’s a little hard to follow.

This also isn’t great if you’re some one who practices magic in the modern sense as this is an anthropological look at the history of magic.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

It was all over the place

I felt the book was mixed with too much different information and should have been split into at least two books. Dive deeper into certain topics like anthropology for example. Also the history of magic from other cultures was not documented well. It lacked information.

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