Magic in the Middle Ages (Canto)

Rating:
Summary: "Magic in the Middle Ages" is a good source of medieval info
Review: 'Magic in the Middle Ages' takes a profound look at an important part of medieval culture that is most often overlooked by authors and even by professors in the field of Medieval History. The practices in the mentioned time period had major affects on the subsequent practices Europeans. Also, the study looks at the thin line between what were considered religious rituals and that which was considered magic. It looks at the views of Europeans that were heavily influenced by classical thought up until the prohibition of the so-called odd practices of the different types of magic began. It assimilates some of the superstitious practices of today with those of six or seven centuries ago.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introductory History of Magic
Review: Richard Kieckhefer's "Magic in the Middle Ages" is a relatively short but comprehensive scholarly summary of the long and fascinating history of magic during Europe's middle ages and its relationship to witchcraft. The author analyzes the many varied influences on magical beliefs from classical literature, folk beliefs, magical texts, biblical sources, and contemporary scholarly and theological treatises. He shows how the beliefs in magic changed over time and how each area influenced the popular and scholarly beliefs in magic and the supernatural. Ultimately, he shows that beliefs in magic, like relgion to which it is closely related, changes over time as people's perceptions change. He also shows the relationship between magic and witchcraft and how they both played roles in the witch craze of the early modern period. This book is required reading in many witchcraft and medieval studies classes and justly so.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introductory History of Magic
Review: Richard Kieckhefer's "Magic in the Middle Ages" is a relatively short but comprehensive scholarly summary of the long and fascinating history of magic during Europe's middle ages and its relationship to witchcraft. The author analyzes the many varied influences on magical beliefs from classical literature, folk beliefs, magical texts, biblical sources, and contemporary scholarly and theological treatises. He shows how the beliefs in magic changed over time and how each area influenced the popular and scholarly beliefs in magic and the supernatural. Ultimately, he shows that beliefs in magic, like relgion to which it is closely related, changes over time as people's perceptions change. He also shows the relationship between magic and witchcraft and how they both played roles in the witch craze of the early modern period. This book is required reading in many witchcraft and medieval studies classes and justly so.

Rating:
Summary: Rather Lacking
Review: This book has about 200 pages of information. At best, I would call it an OVERVIEW, but by no means complete. I was really disapointed by the lack on information regarding Pagan ties to magic. The total number of pages relating to that topic is 7. 7!!! Thats pathetic! Divination is barely touched on... this is just an extremely breif book. I honestly wouldn't recommend this book to anyone unless they wanted a concise text about Magic in Literature of the Middle Ages. That is honesly the only topic explained enough.