The History of Magic. From Pagan Shamanism and Medieval Alchemy to Modern Witchcraft

BOOK OF THE YEAR ACCORDING TO THE TELEGRAPH.

Oxford Professor of Archaeology presents a comprehensive study of the history of magic — showing its relevance and importance from ancient times to the present day.

Humanity has practiced magic for countless purposes since time immemorial — to protect against the numerous threats of a brutal primitive world, to honor the memory of ancestors, to ensure a good harvest, or to cope with pain and fear. Magic permeated every sphere of life for ancient people, but gradually, with the development of religion and later science, it began to fall out of use and acquired a bad reputation.
In his book, Oxford Professor of Archaeology Chris Gosden restores magic to its important place in world history. Using numerous archaeological sources and ancient texts, he shows that magic, unlike religion and science, formed a unique relationship between humans and the surrounding world, and therefore even today magical practices — divination, superstitions, charms — are present in our lives. From the curses and charms of ancient Greek and Roman magic to the shamanic traditions of Eurasia, the indigenous peoples of the Americas and Africa; from the alchemy of the Renaissance to the mysteries of modern quantum physics — the astonishing, captivating, and colorful “History of Magic” complements the missing chapter of our civilization's history and shows why magic is still needed today.

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“In this beautifully written illustrated book, Gosden offers an encyclopedic collection of magical practices from around the world and throughout history. The cultural and historical scope of his knowledge is astounding and makes this book an important reference work.” — Bookpage

“Fascinating and skillfully written, this book is a world history, from the steppes of Mongolia to the palaces of Paris, told through the lens of magic that has existed at all times. It is an exhilarating journey of remarkable breadth, filled with shamans, witches, kings, and esoteric rituals. An important and necessary read, full of interesting historical findings.” — Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian, author