The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic: An Illustrated History

My third book from this store and this one might be the best. Some sections stopped me cold in the best way. It rewards patience more than any book I've bought this year. Recommended if you're ready to do the work.

Bought this as a gift for my sister and ended up ordering a second copy for myself. It rewards patience more than any book I've bought this year. Delivery took a bit longer than quoted. Still worth having on the shelf.

Perfect companion for my morning study sessions. Plenty of passages worth underlining; my copy is already full of margin notes. I appreciated how the argument builds steadily from first principles. It assumes more background than a beginner might have.

Been hunting for a decent copy of this text for ages. The typesetting is comfortable for study, with good margins for notes. It pairs well with more modern commentaries on the same tradition. One of my better finds this year.

Honestly wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm impressed. Some sections stopped me cold in the best way. The text itself is dense but rewarding — you get out what you put in. Definitely recommend.

Dell’s work offers a sweeping visual journey through the history of magic, making it accessible to general readers who appreciate rich illustration over dense theory. It successfully charts the path from ancient Babylonian traditions to contemporary occultism. However, scholars seeking rigorous primary source analysis or those uninterested in the theatrical aspects of historical stage illusions may find the narrative too broad and superficial. It is not suited for practitioners looking for specific instructional grimoires or technical manuals. Instead, it stands as a general overview for enthusiasts who value context and imagery above detailed doctrinal study.