A fully illustrated, spellbinding non-fiction guide to everything you ever wanted to know about the world of magic. .

The shuffle of a card deck, a flick of a wand and the whisper of a spell. Throughout history, humans have been captivated by the way magic offers insight into the realm of the unseen. From magical ailments and protective talismans to curses and tarot readings, believers and practitioners have used magic to better understand themselves and the world around them. As part of his Illustrated History series, Adam Allsuch Boardman creates an illustrative study of the mysterious, mystical world of magic.

"From large, multifaceted bodies of knowledge, like divination and alchemy, to more niche practices and beliefs, like sailors' traditions and World War II folk magic, this text covers a sweeping range of subjects relating to magical rituals and witchcraft [...] A huge undertaking concisely and conscientiously executed." - Kirkus Reviews

"Going beyond the art of prestidigitation, Boardman's newest addition to his Illustrated History series explores everything from tarot and alchemy to ancient practices and the occult. He defines terms simply, including lunar calendars and astrological terms, as well as symbols from prehistory. Rituals and divination, the kabbalah, even the construction of the Sphinx, all lie within these pages, as do examinations of modern practices ranging from Wicca and new age to performances by TV and stage magicians. Regarding the latter, the tricks chosen to be revealed are an odd mix, card-on-ceiling being, perhaps, an especially unusual choice. Nevertheless, this is a tidy reference book on the more niche aspects of the subject. Designed with a modern look and divided by time period into short, well laid-out sections with crisp, effective illustrations, this is not meant to be another instruction manual for budding magicians. Instead, it is intended to be picked up by high-school students looking for information on the otherworldly." - Booklist Review