Witchcraft: a Very Short Introduction by Malcolm Gaskill (English) Paperback Boo
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Witchcraft: a Very Short Introduction by Malcolm Gaskill (English) Paperback Boo:
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Witchcraft: a Very Short Introduction by Malcolm Gaskill
Throughout history, to the present day, witchcraft raises questions about the distinction between reality and fantasy, faith and proof. This Very Short Introduction explores witchcraft, both as a contemporary phenomenon and a historical subject. It looks at witch-beliefs and accusations around the world, from pre-history to the present.
FORMATPaperback LANGUAGE
English CONDITION
Brand New Publisher Description
Witchcraft is a subject that fascinates us all, and everyone knows what a witch is - or do they? From childhood most of us develop a sense of the mysterious, malign person, usually an old woman. Historically, too, we recognize witch-hunting as a feature of pre-modern societies. But why do witches still feature so heavily in our cultures and consciousness? From Halloween to superstitions, and literary references such as Faust and even Harry Potter, witches still
feature heavily in our society. In this Very Short Introduction Malcolm Gaskill challenges all of this, and argues that what we think we know is, in fact, wrong. Taking a historical
perspective from the ancient world to contemporary paganism, Gaskill reveals how witchcraft has meant different things to different people and that in every age it has raised questions about the distinction between fantasy and reality, faith and proof. Telling stories, delving into court records, and challenging myths, Gaskill examines the witch-hunts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and explores the reinvention of witchcraft - as history, religion, fiction,
and metaphor. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books
are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Explores witchcraft both as a contemporary phenomenon and as a historical subject, challenging false assumptions and providing stories and examples of witchcraft from different times.
Author BiographyMalcolm Gaskill is a Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge, where he is Director of Studies in History.
Table of Contents1: Fear
2: Heresy
3: Malice
4: Truth
5: Justice
6: Rage
7: Fantasy
8: Culture
References
Further Reading
Each chapter in this small but perfectly-formed book could be the jumping-off point for a year's stimulating reading. Buy it now. * Fortean Times * This pocket-book eloquently and clearly introduces and summarizes the theories and theorists of the historical study of witchcraft. His account is concise enough to stand alone, but also a great introduction to the work of other scholars in the field, with excellent recommended reading. * Journal of Folklore Research *
Long DescriptionWitchcraft is a subject that fascinates us all, and everyone knows what a witch is - or do they? From childhood most of us develop a sense of the mysterious, malign person, usually an old woman. Historically, too, we recognize witch-hunting as a feature of pre-modern societies. But why do witches still feature so heavily in our cultures and consciousness? From Halloween to superstitions, and literary references such as Faust and even Harry Potter, witches still
feature heavily in our society. In this Very Short Introduction Malcolm Gaskill challenges all of this, and argues that what we think we know is, in fact, wrong. Taking a historical
perspective from the ancient world to contemporary paganism, Gaskill reveals how witchcraft has meant different things to different people and that in every age it has raised questions about the distinction between fantasy and reality, faith and proof. Telling stories, delving into court records, and challenging myths, Gaskill examines the witch-hunts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and explores the reinvention of witchcraft - as history, religion, fiction,
and metaphor. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books
are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
This pocket-book eloquently and clearly introduces and summarizes the theories and theorists of the historical study of witchcraft. His account is concise enough to stand alone, but also a great introduction to the work of other scholars in the field, with excellent recommended reading.
FeatureExamines the history and origins of witchcraft, from pre-history to the present day, considering why it still features so heavily in our culture
Considers the classic period (1500-1900) of Witchcraft trials, and witch-hunting, such as the infamous Salem panic of 1692
Relates concepts of witchcraft to anthropology, sociology, psychology, and politics
Challenges false assumptions about witchcraft by separating the myths from the historical reality, explaining why the myths exist, and why they matter
Features stories and interesting examples of witchcraft from different times, places, and contexts
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Witchcraft: a Very Short Introduction by Malcolm Gaskill (English) Paperback Boo:
$19.33