The History of Witchcraft and Demonology
by Montague Summers
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Description
Vividly detailed and highly readable, this classic history of witchcraft and demonology provides a thorough exploration of sorcery, Satanism, and every variety of the black arts. Reflecting popular folklore and theological opinions of the late medieval and early Renaissance periods, this survey of necromancy traces witchcraft from ancient times to the twentieth century, describing the link between heresy and the occult. Threaded with dramatic accounts of witch trials and devil's pacts, this show more time-tested reference offers a compelling look at The Worship of the Witch, Demons and Familiars, the Sabbat, and Diabolic Possession and Modern Spiritism. It also offers fascinating insight into the role of the Witch in Dramatic Literature. A prolific occult historian, Montague Summers wrote numerous books, and he edited and translated such important early demonology and witchcraft texts as the Malleus Maleficarum. An intriguing perspective on the development of the black arts and their heretical interpretations by society, church, and state, The History of Witchcraft and Demonology will capture the attention of the general reader as well as the occult enthusiast. Eight meticulously reproduced illustrations from the original publication are included in this unabridged edition. show lessTags
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Member Recommendations
Jannes Any edition, really. If you have any interest in the history of witchcraft you should probably read this. Terrifying, disturbing, and fascinating.
Member Reviews
This is a documented account of certain aspects of witchcraft, a subject as old as the world--and by witchcraft meaning sorcery, black magic, necromancy, secret divination, satanism, and every kind of malign occult art imaginable. The History of Witchcraft is written from a "medieval" standpoint, that is, it maintains an absolute and complete belief in the supernatural, and hence in witchcraft. Summers views on witchcraft and demonology differ considerably from the public picture now presented by Catholic encyclopedists and apologists. He was not ashamed of the great excesses committed in the 17th and 18 centuries, on the contrary, he vigorously defends everything the church ever did to extirpate witchcraft and heresy. And so he has show more provided us with what is actually the best account of the Roman Catholic version of the history of witchcraft and the Church's fight against it. Source: www.goodreads.com show less
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Author Information
44+ Works 2,289 Members
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1926
Classifications
- Genres
- Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 133.409 — Philosophy & psychology Parapsychology & occultism Specific topics in parapsychology and occultism Demonology and witchcraft Standard subdivisions History, geographic treatment, biography
- LCC
- BF1566 .S8 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Psychology Occult sciences Witchcraft
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 603
- Popularity
- 48,359
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.15)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 28
- ASINs
- 19
