Interest in magic and sorcery has been rekindled in recent years due to the success of popular fiction and film such as the Harry Potter novels and The Lord of the Rings. Surprisingly, much of that fancy is founded on fact. With more than 500 entries, The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy is a fascinating A-to-Z reference to the history of the Western magical and alchemical traditions, sorting history from myth and folklore and examining mystical beliefs through the ages. With roots reaching back to ancient Egypt, the classical world, and the Middle East, magic and alchemy have often played an integral part in science, politics, and religion. From the quest for the Philosopher's Stone to 20th-century wizards like Aleister Crowley to contemporary pagans and wiccans, the full range of Western magic and its influence on society is documented here. Topics covered include history, lore, famous people, procedures, materials, rituals, and relationships to science.

The bad news is that it is not a how-to book; the good news is that it is comprehensive compendium of magical lore and traditions with over 400 entries that describe philosophies, rituals, materials, procedures and famous practitioners of magic. The historical range reaches from ancient Egypt to 20th-century politics, religion and science and the topics cover everything from astral travel to zombies. The encyclopedia contains black-and-white photographs and cross-references. It appropriate for students in grade 9 and up.
Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The bad news is that it is not a how-to book; the good news is that it is comprehensive compendium of magical lore and traditions with over 400 entries that describe philosophies, rituals, materials, procedures and famous practitioners of magic. The historical range reaches from ancient Egypt to 20th-century politics, religion and science and the topics cover everything from astral travel to zombies. The encyclopedia contains black-and-white photographs and cross-references. It appropriate for students in grade 9 and up. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)