About the author
Michael D Bailey is a historian who studies magic, witchcraft, and superstition in medieval and early modern Europe, and the author of numerous books in the field, including Battling Demons, Magic and Superstition in Europe: A Concise History from Antiquity to the Present, and Origins of the Witches' Sabbath. His work traces how magic was defined, practiced, and persecuted across centuries, from the theological debates that shaped the concept of the witches' sabbath in the fifteenth century to the broader question of how magical belief was understood from antiquity onward. Magic: The Basics, published by Routledge, offers a shorter, more general introduction aimed at readers new to the subject, treating magic as a global rather than purely European phenomenon. His books, published mainly by academic presses including Penn State University Press and Routledge, are standard reading for students of the history of magic and witchcraft.
📖 Where to start with Michael D Bailey
💬 What our editors say about Michael D Bailey's books
“Bailey delivers a rigorous, scholarly examination of the fifteenth-century origins of witchcraft ideology, focusing heavily on Dominican reformer Johannes Nider. While intellectually robust and essential for understanding the…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Battling Demons: Witchcraft, Heresy, and Reform in the Late Middle Ages Bailey, Michael D
“Bailey delivers a comprehensive understanding of magical history, though it demands patience from casual readers seeking quick inspiration. This is not a practical grimoire or a light-hearted guide for beginners; rather, it is a…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Magic and Superstition in Europe: A Concise History from Antiquity to the Present Bailey, Michael D
“Bailey delivers a compelling entry point into understanding magic as a deeply embedded global phenomenon rather than an isolated curiosity. The text meticulously traces historical evolution and cultural expressions, offering a…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Magic: The Basics Bailey, Michael D
📋 Editions by Michael D Bailey in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battling Demons: Witchcraft, Heresy, and Reform in the Late Midd | — | Penn State University Pres | 216 | 9780271022260 |
| Magic and Superstition in Europe: A Concise History from Antiqui | — | Rowman & Littlefield Publi | 288 | 9780742533868 |
| Magic: The Basics Bailey, Michael D | 2017 | Routledge | 192 | 9781138809611 |
| Magic and Superstition in Europe: A Concise History from Antiqui | 2006 | Rowman & Littlefield Publi | 288 | 9780742533875 |
| Origins of the Witches' Sabbath Bailey, Michael D | 2021 | Penn State University Pres | 136 | 9780271089102 |
| A to Z of Witchcraft Bailey, Michael D | 2009 | Scarecrow Press | 252 | 9780810868649 |
| Magic: The Basics Bailey, Michael D | 2017 | Routledge | 192 | 9781138809604 |
