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The Witch
A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present
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The Witch
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
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Description
Why have societies all across the world feared witchcraft? This book delves deeply into its context, beliefs, and origins in Europe’s history.
"Traces the idea of witches far beyond the Salem witch trials to beliefs and attitudes about witches around the world throughout history.”—Los Angeles Times
The Witch came to prominence—and often a painful death—in early modern Europe, yet her origins are much more geographically diverse and historically deep. In this landmark book, Ronald Hutton traces witchcraft from the ancient world to the early-modern stake.
This book sets the notorious European witch trials in the widest and deepest possible perspective and traces the major historiographical developments of witchcraft. Hutton, a renowned expert on ancient, medieval, and modern paganism and witchcraft beliefs, combines Anglo-American and continental scholarly approaches to examine attitudes on witchcraft and the treatment of suspected witches across the world, including in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Australia, and North and South America, and from ancient pagan times to current interpretations.
His fresh anthropological and ethnographical approach focuses on cultural inheritance and change while considering shamanism, folk religion, the range of witch trials, and how the fear of witchcraft might be eradicated.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Witch by Ronald Hutton has been praised for its comprehensive and detailed exploration of the history and mythology of witches, drawing on a wide range of anthropological and ethnographic findings. Reviewers highlight its global perspective, offering new insights into witchcraft beyond the commonly known historical narratives like the Salem witch trials. It is noted for its scholarly approach, making it an essential read for those interested in understanding the broader social and political contexts surrounding the concept of witches. Additionally, Hutton's work is deemed ambitious, thought-provoking, and a valuable contribution to the study of paganism and witchcraft.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780300238679
Publisher: Yale University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 11 September 2018
Country: United States
Imprint: Yale University Press
Illustration: 16 b-w illus.
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 127.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 363g
Pages: 376
About the Author
Ronald Hutton is professor of history, University of Bristol, and a leading authority on ancient, medieval, and modern paganism, the history of the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and the global context of witchcraft beliefs.
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