About the author
Ariel Glucklich is a professor of theology at Georgetown University whose scholarship examines religion, ritual and the boundary between magic and religious practice. His book The End of Magic (1997), published by Oxford University Press, asks why magic has receded from public life while religion has persisted, tracing how magical practice has been understood historically and what functions it served for its practitioners. Glucklich approaches the subject as a scholar of comparative religion rather than a practitioner, drawing on anthropology, history and religious studies to analyze belief rather than to advocate for it. He is also known for Sacred Pain, a study of pain in religious experience, though that work is not part of this catalogue. The End of Magic remains a frequently cited academic treatment of why magical thinking persists in some societies and declines in others, written for readers interested in the history of ideas rather than in magical instruction.
📖 Where to start with Ariel Glucklich
💬 What our editors say about Ariel Glucklich's books
“Glucklich meticulously examines the societal functions of magic, offering a compelling work that delves into its fundamental nature. While this exploration is vital for understanding the shifting landscape of human belief, it may…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The End of Magic
“Glucklich delivers a profound, albeit dense, intellectual exploration of magic’s historical prominence and subsequent decline. The text is meticulously researched, offering critical insights into the psychological and cultural…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The End of Magic
