For everyone interested in the way magic actually developed in reality, starting with early mentions in the Bible, Judaism, and Islam, my next pick is a must for you to read.
But first off, I must mention the book’s design. I believe it’s a crime to read such sort of books in electronic format, especially this one. The edition is heavy, with glossy pages, incredibly talented gothic artwork on the front and back covers, let alone the illustrations inside it. Simply flicking it through alone will give you that magical feeling of a mysterious, ancient book full of dark secrets.
The author, Christopher Dell, will walk you through the history of occultism and magic, from Ancient Times to Middle Ages to Renaissance to modern time. It’s a great overall look to witchcraft, with all the essential milestones which had an impact on what we know of this topic today, what all the pop culture is based on.
All in all, the book is a fantastic basic encyclopedia on what witchcraft started with, went through and looks like today. The illustrations (paintings, art, symbols, photos, and more) are of fantastic quality and are a useful addition to every chapter. It might not be a profound research or a serious scientific work, though it will be of use for everyone interested in the topic.