neverlandsreads's review
5.0
Had to read this for class and it was so interesting! All the documents were so informative and I definitely recommend it if anyone is interested in the topic.
brynhammond's review
4.0
Consists of primary sources put together in such a way as to explore the inception, growth and decline of witch beliefs almost as a narrative. One of the better ways to approach this material. Includes not only the obvious trials and churchly tracts, pamphlets and bulls and the insane Malleus (certified by scholars), but a wider clutch of writers; for instance, in the decline section, Michel de Montaigne as a guru of scepticism in general was welcome, along with the philosopher Spinoza's new take on the Devil. Also in this section, retractions by once-inquisitors -- one whose investigative reports single-handedly ended witch-hunting in Spain. Works, or as close as you can hope, in 450 pages, as an overview of the thought that enabled, inevitablised (made-up word) and at last escaped from these fucked-up persecutory mass mental events.
Grouped by time period/type, strung together by short orientations, and I liked the survey which served as an introduction. It means its pictorial content (41 figures) to be a serious study of sources alongside the text... b&w, decent reproduction, not great.
Don't be crazy.
Grouped by time period/type, strung together by short orientations, and I liked the survey which served as an introduction. It means its pictorial content (41 figures) to be a serious study of sources alongside the text... b&w, decent reproduction, not great.
Don't be crazy.
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