A New History of Witchcraft

by Jeffrey Burton Russell, Brooks Alexander

For nearly thirty years, during which it has been continuously in print, Jeffrey Russell's "A History of Witchcraft" has been the one authoritative concise illustrated history of history of witchcraft. Now, in collaboration with Brooks Alexander, who has himself conducted innovative researches in the field, this classic book has been fully revised with additional chapters accompanied by new illustrations. As history shows, whether or not one believes in the powers of witchcraft, one must believe in the existence of witches. Here the definition of witchcraft in its many diverse forms is discussed and its historical, anthropological and religious manifestations charted from its origins through to the present day. Alexander includes an analysis of the importance of the Internet and films in the dissemination of witchcraft today and the potential tensions as a movement that was originally a closed, secretive, initiatory cult becomes an open, recognized, public religion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Witchcraft, History, Paganism, Occult, Witches, Religion

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Jeffrey Burton Russell was an American historian of medieval Europe and religious studies scholar.

Reviews

[Ophelia Feyre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t get along with this book at all. They take the stance that there is no connection between ‘historical’ and ‘contemporary’ witchcraft, (I totally disagree), then go on to say how contemporary witches take their sabbats from the ancient tradition. (Contradiction much?!)

They constantly refer to historic witchcraft as the ‘witch-craze’ and focus on the idea that witchcraft was people worshipping/making pacts with the devil or just simply ‘made-up.’ (It’s so much more complex than that.)

The look at 20th Century Witchcraft is slightly better but doesn’t offer any real depth. It focuses on the usual Crowley/Gardner stuff. Although, I did appreciate that they called Gardner out for making up a bunch of stuff.

I wouldn’t bother with it.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the English version of this book, but can't seem to find that edition on Goodreads.

Good read, very informative and interesting. Didn't get bogged down in scholarship, and told stories/cases about those accused of witchcraft. An interesting history, lots of illustrations and pictures, which made it a quicker read than I expected. It's an introduction to the history of witchcraft, and a good one. Balanced. Later chapters deal with the rise of modern witchcraft, Wicca and neo-paganism.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m right at the beginning of personal research on the history of paganism and witchcraft and this book was a perfect starting point for me. This the book takes you through each chapter in history where witchcraft accusations- often disguised as heresy accusations- occurs, how it started, progressed and eventually ended, where witchcraft, or sorcery, likely originated, how we came to have modern witchcraft and those who influenced it, using detailed research through texts from history and modern day on the subjects.

There also includes a good bibliography section at the back of books on witchcraft so continue to do your own research in specific areas.

[Mr Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough, and seemingly rigorous. I don't have enough expret knowledge on the subject to know how accurate this was, but based on what I do know, it seemed convincing.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about witchcraft, both old and new. It was great.

[Trisia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was 4-stars—pretty Euro-/Western-centric and dry but informative—and then at the end it compared the witch trials to the horrors of the Holocaust at Dachau. That knocked it down for me.