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Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft (Reprint 2016) - Ingram Academic — Witchcraft Wicca

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Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft (Reprint 2016) - Ingram Academic

Name: Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft (Reprint 2016) - Ingram Academic
Price: 84.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781512820584

✍️ Henry Charles Lea, Arthur C Howland, George Lincoln Burr

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$84.95 ~~$138.00~~ Save $53.05 (38%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A scholarly reprint examining the historical development of witchcraft beliefs through archival sources.

This volume belongs to a specific set of reissues released by the University of Pennsylvania Press to celebrate their 125th anniversary in 2015. The press selected more than 1,100 titles from their backlist covering the years 1899 through 1999 that had previously fallen out of print. Henry Charles Lea provides a rigorous historical account that situates witchcraft within broader religious and social contexts. The work avoids modern interpretations in favor of documented evidence from earlier eras. It serves as a resource for understanding how past societies perceived magical practices. The physical book is a substantial hardcover edition with 512 pages. It weighs 0.89 kilograms and measures 2.87 by 23.39 by 15.6 centimeters. The ISBN is 9781512820584. This edition ensures that Lea’s research remains available for those studying the intersection of religion and occult history.

Key Themes

witchcraft history religious studies occult traditions

Literary Context

This book was originally published on January 29, 1939. It was reprinted in 2016 by the University of Pennsylvania Press as part of their Anniversary Collection to mark the publisher's 125th anniversary in 2015.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Monika Kroeger's historical analyses · Brian Levack's legal histories · Natalie Zemon Davis's cultural studies · Ronald Hutton's witchcraft histories

🌙

Witchcraft & Wicca

🏛 University of Pennsylvania Press Anniversary Collection 📅 1939 📖 512 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781512820584

Fun Fact

Lea's 'Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft' remains an indispensable, if dense, cornerstone for serious students of the subject. Its meticulous compilation of historical data is its greatest strength, offering unparalleled depth and rigor. Those seeking a light read or an introduction to modern magical practice will be disappointed, as its academic focus is unwavering. It firmly establishes itself as a foundational text in the historical study of occult beliefs and their profound societal impact.

📝 Description: Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft (Reprint 2016) - Ingram Academic

Henry Charles Lea’s Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft offers a scholarly examination of magical practices through historical documentation. Published by the University of Pennsylvania Press as part of their Anniversary Collection, this volume marks the publisher’s 125th anniversary by reprinting titles from their distinguished backlist spanning 1899 to 1999. The text draws on extensive archival research to trace the evolution of witchcraft beliefs across specific periods and regions. Lea, a recognized historian in the field, organizes his findings to provide context for how these traditions developed over time. The book utilizes primary sources to construct a narrative that connects early superstitions with later legal and social responses. It is suitable for readers interested in the academic study of occult history and religious shifts. Those seeking practical spellcasting or modern Wiccan ritual guides will find this text unsuitable as it focuses on historical analysis rather than contemporary practice. The volume contains 512 pages bound in hardcover, weighing approximately 0.89 kilograms. Its dimensions are 2.87 centimeters in height, 23.39 centimeters in length, and 15.6 centimeters in width. The ISBN for this edition is 9781512820584. The University of Pennsylvania Press released over 1,100 titles to mark this milestone, ensuring these historical works remain accessible to modern scholars and collectors who value the preservation of academic literature on mysticism and religious history.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This text offers a meticulous, foundational exploration of witchcraft beliefs, meticulously assembled by Henry Charles Lea. It provides a rigorous scholarly examination of cultural, legal, and spiritual dimensions, serving as an essential academic resource. However, it is strictly historical analysis, not a guide to magical practice. Readers seeking practical spells, modern Wiccan rituals, or lighthearted folklore will find this dry and unsuitable. It demands patience for its dense, academic prose and unflinching look at persecution. While invaluable for understanding the subject's gravity, it lacks accessibility for non-academics. It is a heavy, serious tome for those prepared to engage with difficult historical truths rather than entertainment.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This volume is an invaluable resource for serious scholars, historians, and those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the enduring human fascination with witchcraft. It serves readers who wish to look past sensationalism to uncover the dark currents of humanity's obsession across centuries. By providing a rigorous scholarly examination, it illuminates the complex legal and spiritual dimensions that defined these persecutions. Those interested in how societies constructed their fears and judgments regarding the occult will find this essential. It is not for casual readers seeking spellbooks, but for those dedicated to mastering the academic landscape of esoteric history and its profound impact on human civilization.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you seek a profound, academic understanding of the historical roots of witchcraft, rather than a practical guide, this book is for you. It's perfect for scholars, students, and serious enthusiasts of occult history and religious studies.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This text offers a meticulous, foundational exploration of witchcraft beliefs, meticulously assembled by Henry Charles Lea. It provides a rigorous scholarly examination of cultural, legal, and spiritual dimensions, serving as an essential academic resource. However, it is strictly historical analysis, not a guide to magical practice. Readers seeking practical spells, modern Wiccan rituals, or lighthearted folklore will find this dry and unsuitable. It demands patience for its dense, academic prose and unflinching look at persecution. While invaluable for understanding the subject's gravity, it lacks accessibility for non-academics. It is a heavy, serious tome for those prepared to engage with difficult historical truths rather than entertainment.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is an academic historical study, rigorously examining the past beliefs and persecutions surrounding witchcraft, not a manual for magical practice or a guide to contemporary Wiccan traditions.

This 2016 reprint is part of the Penn Press Anniversary Collection, reintroducing a distinguished historical work that had become difficult to find. It ensures this crucial scholarly resource remains accessible to new generations of researchers.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Witchcraft's Evolution

Traces the shifting perceptions of witchcraft from ancient superstitions to organized heresy, detailing how its definition changed across different eras and cultures. It examines the intellectual and theological frameworks that underpinned these transformations, providing a detailed chronology of belief systems.

Persecution & Law

Explores the brutal legal frameworks and religious doctrines that fueled the witch hunts, examining the methods of accusation, trial, and punishment that terrorized communities. The book meticulously documents the judicial processes and the ecclesiastical justifications for these persecutions across Europe.

Societal Impact

Uncovers how the belief in witchcraft permeated all levels of society, influencing social structures, gender roles, and the power dynamics between secular and ecclesiastical authorities. It illustrates how these fears and practices shaped communal life and individual destinies.

📜 Historical context

Originally compiled from extensive research, this work stands as a monumental early contribution to the academic study of witchcraft. It predates many modern interpretations, offering a foundational, almost primary source-like perspective on the historical record, influencing subsequent generations of scholars in the field of religious and social history.

📚 Glossary

Witchcraft
Esotericism
Magick Studies

📔 Questions to reflect on

How did the historical perception of 'witchcraft' reflect broader societal anxieties or power structures of its time?
Consider the role of legal systems and religious institutions in shaping the historical narrative and persecution of accused witches.
What lessons can we draw from the past about the dangers of mass hysteria and the scapegoating of marginalized groups, as illuminated by this history?