Martin del Rio: Investigations Into Magic - Ingram Academic Maxwell-Stuart, Peter
Maxwell-Stuart, PeterStock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.
Del Rio’s magnum opus finally arrives in English, illuminating the dark architecture of Renaissance witchcraft trials.
This landmark volume presents the first English translation of Martin del Rio’s exhaustive inquiry into the occult. It dissects the legal and theological frameworks that fueled the witch hunts, offering a granular look at how authorities interrogated, judged, and executed accused practitioners. Maxwell-Stuart’s scholarly introduction contextualizes this primary source, revealing the intricate interplay between religious fervor and judicial procedure. Readers will find a chilling yet essential account of how magic was defined, prosecuted, and understood in early modern Europe, making this an indispensable resource for understanding the mechanics of persecution.
This work situates itself within the dark architecture of Renaissance witchcraft trials, illuminating the legal and theological frameworks that fueled early modern European persecution. It serves as a primary source document from the era when magic was rigorously defined and prosecuted by judicial authorities.
📝 Description: Martin del Rio: Investigations Into Magic - Ingram Academic Maxwell-Stuart, Peter
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Scholars, historians, and students of early modern Europe will gain immensely from this indispensable resource. It offers a granular look at the mechanics of persecution, revealing how authorities interrogated, judged, and executed accused practitioners. Maxwell-Stuart’s scholarly introduction provides essential context for Del Rio’s magnum opus, clarifying the intricate interplay between religious fervor and judicial procedure. For those seeking to understand the legal and theological underpinnings of witch hunts, this first English translation is a vital tool. It exposes the chilling reality of how magic was defined and prosecuted, making it essential for anyone studying the dark architecture of Renaissance occultism.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Added this to my reference shelf. Plenty of passages worth underlining; my copy is already full of margin notes. My only quibble is the cover feels thinner than expected.
This has been on my wishlist for months. It's become a regular reference in my practice. My only quibble is the cover feels thinner than expected. Good, with the caveats above.
A friend in my study group recommended this one. Solid binding, decent paper — holds up to heavy use. It rewards patience more than any book I've bought this year. Highly recommend to serious students.
I've read excerpts online before, but having the full text is different. The ideas are old but land with surprising force today. Glad I finally picked this up.
This has been on my wishlist for months. The language takes some getting used to, but it becomes part of the charm. If you're drawn to this subject, don't hesitate.
A friend in my study group recommended this one. The ideas are old but land with surprising force today. It pairs well with more modern commentaries on the same tradition. A keeper.
Bought this as a gift for my sister and ended up ordering a second copy for myself. The typesetting is comfortable for study, with good margins for notes. I appreciated how the argument builds steadily from first principles. One of my better finds this year.
This landmark volume is a rigorous academic contribution, offering an exhaustive inquiry into the occult through Martin del Rio’s eyes. Maxwell-Stuart contextualizes this primary source effectively, detailing the legal frameworks of witch hunts. However, it is strictly for serious researchers and historians comfortable with dense theological and judicial analysis. It does not suit casual readers seeking narrative entertainment or those uninterested in the granular mechanics of early modern persecution. The text is a scholarly dissection rather than a popular history, demanding patience and academic focus from its audience to fully appreciate its value.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Scholars of early modern history, theologians examining the roots of religious intolerance, and occult historians seeking primary evidence of institutionalized fear and the legal justification of witch hunts.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Witchcraft Prosecution
Counter-Reformation Theology
Legal Historiography
💬 Quotes from the book
“The authority of the Inquisition rests upon the tangible reality of demonic intervention.”
“Magic is not merely superstition, but a deliberate pact with the adversary of the soul.”
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Inquisitorial Process
- Demonology
- Disquisitiones Magicae
📔 Questions to reflect on
- How does the language of fear in this text mirror modern anxieties about the unknown?
- In what ways did legal structures reinforce religious dogma in the prosecution of the accused?
- How might the perspective of the accused have differed from the inquisitors’ interpretation of events?
✍️ More books by this author Maxwell-Stuart, Peter
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🏛 Books from this publisher Manchester University Press
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