Histories you can trust. This history provides a readable and fresh approach to the extensive and complex story of witchcraft and magic. Telling the story from the dawn of writing in the ancient world to the globally successful Harry Potter films, the authors explore a wide range of magical beliefs and practices, the rise of the witch trials, and the depiction of the Devil-worshipping witch. The book also focuses on the more recent history of witchcraft and magic, from the Enlightenment to the present, exploring the rise of modern magic, the anthropology of magic around the globe, and finally the cinematic portrayal of witches and magicians, from The Wizard of Oz to Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

"An absorbing and illuminating study... Owen Davies succeeds in delivering an excellent, extremely useful work." - Clive Prince, Magonia Review

"Another quality book from Oxford University Press ... a goldmine for anyone looking for information on witchcraft and magic and perhaps those looking for inspiration and some unusual little fact or nugget if they want to dabble in some fiction involving witches or magicians, dark or otherwise." - Ian Hunter, Concatenation

"The breadth of knowledge shown here is impressive ... It informs, shocks, repulses and entertains ... a scholarly and impressive work" - On Magazine (Yorkshire)

"Comprehensive and impeccably researched, but also well written and fascinating to read..." - Bad Witch

"readable and compelling ... this ambitious project presents a helpful... contribution that should find a home as supplemental reading material in relevant undergraduate courses." - Jodie Ann Vann, Nova Religio

"An essential text in the field." - Paradigm Explorer 2023/2