Witchcraft in British history

by Ronald Holmes

Witchcraft in British History

Genres: History, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has the potential to be good if you were looking for a sensationalised assumption based fiction discussing one man's opinion on witchcraft in British history.

"Facts" are thrown around with scarce evidence and the author has let his imagination wander with the little source material that he has included.

If being used for a historical commentary on the topic I would recommend avoiding this book like the plague.

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps it was the contrast with the book on this subject which I had read previously (Montague Summers' Witchcraft and Black Magic), but I found the straightforward approach of this a refreshing change, and its clearly laid out chapters which followed the history of beliefs in magic and witchcraft - which also, the author does not conflate - through the various historical periods. The book is focused on the British Isles but there is nothing wrong with having a smaller scope and dealing with it competently.

I will probably revisit this shortly as, having read a number of books on this subject recently, in an effort to tackle things that have been hanging around on the bookshelves for many years and wanting to weed them out, I possibly have overlooked any flaws. But I have decided to hang onto this one, so for now am awarding it 4 stars.