Witches & Magic Makers

DK Eyewitness Books

by Douglas Arthur Hill

Presents the practices, rituals, and roles of witches and magic-makers around the world and throughout history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Magic

64 pages, Library Binding

Published April 1, 2000

About the author

Douglas Arthur Hill (6 April 1935 – 21 June 2007) was a Canadian science fiction author, editor and reviewer. He was born in Brandon, Manitoba, the son of a railroad engineer, and was raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. An avid science fiction reader from an early age, he studied English at the University of Saskatchewan (where he earned an Honours B.A. in 1957) and at the University of Toronto. He married fellow writer and U. of S. alumna Gail Robinson in 1958; they moved to Britain in 1959, where he worked as a freelance writer and editor for Aldus Books. In 1967–1968 he served as Assistant Editor of the controversial New Worlds science fiction magazine under Michael Moorcock.

A lifetime leftist, he served from 1971 to 1984 as the Literary Editor of the socialist weekly Tribune (a position once held by George Orwell), where he regularly reviewed science fiction despite the continued refusal of the literary world to take it seriously. Before starting to write fiction in 1978, he wrote many books on history, science and folklore. Using the pseudonym Martin Hillman, he also worked as an editor of several anthologies, among them Window on the Future (1966), The Shape of Sex to Come (1978), Out of Time (1984), and Hidden Turnings (1988). He is probably best known for The Last Legionary quartet of novels, supposedly produced as the result of a challenge by a publisher to Hill's complaints about the lack of good science fiction for younger readers.

Hill and his wife had one child, a son. They were divorced in 1978. He lived in Wood Green, London, and died in London after being struck by a bus at a zebra crossing. His death occurred one day after he completed his last trilogy, Demon Stalkers.

Reviews

[ʙᴏᴋɪᴛᴀ.ɴɪᴋa · Rating 3 out of 5]

وقتی مامانم میگه دانشنامه ای کتاب علمی چیزی بخون من دانشنامه جادوگری میخرم و میخونم :)

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for great pictures, but that's about it. This is part of a kids/YA series of non-fiction that includes just about every topic you can think of. This one was a present, hence my reading of it. I'm not sure how a book about witches can be so male centered, but there ya go. Also, the leaving out of the Jewish alchemists, or really literally anything Jewish is a bit of a disservice as much of the 'occult' stuff mentioned is actually Kabbalistic. Anyway, recommended I guess if you're reading the whole series, or for a springboard to get interested in the topic. Other than that, don't bother with this one.

[Dodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is apart of the eyewitness line of books. Most of the book is illustration or photographs with captions explaining what they are.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic photos from dug-up artifacts to busy modern markets. Americas, Africa, Asia, world history of magickers and their stuff. Not Houdini and illusions. Makes Pratchett's Snuff more believable.

[Leila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first half of the book; the pictures and explanations were really interesting. The second half, though, was repetitive and kind of boring. Overall, I think the book is good for gaining general knowledge of witchcraft throughout history and gives you some keywords to go and read further about a specific subject elsewhere if you're interested, but it is not complete.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I love the Eyewitness Books for their pictures and tidbits of interesting information.

[Kailyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book with an abundance of amazing pictures. This book successfully glosses over witchcraft from all over the world and through the ages. This DK book was a quick and interesting read.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great early resource for children interested in magic.

[Chelsea Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative

[Emma Wardall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oversimplified for a complex subject - would have been better to focus on a single region, given the size of the book

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

How often do you get a book that defends Gilles de Rais?

[Joan Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been interested in the Salem Witch Trials and lately I've been fascinated by real witchcraft and wicca. I'm a fan of the Eyewitness series (the Titanic Eyewitness book is excellent) and when I saw this at the library I nabbed it right away. This book offered a lot of interesting facts on the history of witchcraft and modern magic. I especially enjoyed the sections on historical witch-hunts, the Salem Witch Trials, and magical objects. I didn't give it five stars just because the last few pages on international witch practices didn't interest me. Otherwise, very informative and enjoyable.

[Aminah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved learning about magical practices from all over the world.

[Claudia Loureiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book. Well illustrated.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, a great little, information filled joy ride.
DK Eyewitness books rule!