Eyewitness: Witches & Magic Makers [Hardcover]

Douglas Hill (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: DK Eyewitness Books

Discover the world of magic and the history, mysteries and beliefs of magic-makers around the world.

Here is an original and exciting new guide to the mysterious world of witches and wizards -- who they are and what they do. Stunning full-color photographs of magical implements and tools, costumes and magic-makers in action provide and unparalleled look into the rich legacy of complex and mysterious practices that have existed in the world, and which, in some regions, are still very much alive today. See a catalog of magical amulets and talismans, magic dolls from different cultures, a stereotyped witch and wizard, tools for divining and predicting the future. Learn which animals are traditionally associated with witchcraft, how magic was practiced in ancient civilizations, and what cruel methods were used to punish witches in medieval times. Discover some simple spells, witches and wizards in mythology and the movies, magic-makers from other cultures around the world, the "craft" of present-day witches, and much, much more.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8. Resembling a stroll through a museum of witchcraft, shamanism, and mysticism, this book introduces magical charms, talismans, and amulets from around the world. Typical of the series, sharply reproduced color photographs of people and objects float against white backgrounds. One-or-two sentence captions identify the pictures and form the bulk of the text. A cursory history includes a few known and supposedly real European witches and magic practitioners; witches of fiction and film; and witch-hunting activities in Europe and Salem, MA. Magical items from ancient South and Central America, Egypt, Europe, several parts of Africa, India, China, and Japan and an assortment of Native American peoples give a good idea of the universality of human belief in the spiritual power of rituals. A detailed index provides access to both textual and pictorial material. Despite its casual organization, this title gives a colorful overview of the topic.?Ann G. Brouse, Big Flats Branch Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] -- The New York Times

These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] -- School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN; 1st edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789458780
• ISBN-13: 978-0789458780
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is NOT a Wicca textbook, January 1, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Eyewitness: Witches & Magic Makers (Hardcover)

This book is NOT SUPPOSED to have, you know, spells and that kind of stuff. It is explaining a brief history of WitchCraft, not just New Age and Wicca. But it is a great explanation to non-Pagans and people just interested in magic(k)-making throughout the ages. OK? Besides all the Eyewitness books have excellent pictures, and good text. If you want to learn Wicca like me, read _Exploring Wicca_ or _Drawing Down the Moon_. If you are merely curious about magic(k)-making, READ THIS BOOK!!!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for young people, March 9, 2001

By 

Annette Hrisko-Allen (pdx,usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyewitness: Witches & Magic Makers (Hardcover)

This book was meant to serve as part picture book, part mini-packet of magical trivia. It was not marketed as an actual religious text of any stripe.

I think that this book can be used to open up discussion between open-minded parents and their kids. If a young person sees something in the book and asks, "what's this?", parents then have the opportunity to actually TALK to their kid(s) about something ancient and potentially meaningful.

Sure, there are better books on the history and practice of magic and witchcraft; but this book is meant to spark an interest, not encompass an entire cirriculum.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dispells myths & presents an enlightening history of witches, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Witches & Magic Makers (Eyewitness Books (Library)) (Hardcover)

This book is fascinating! The pages are repleat with exquisite photographs of actual artifacts. Covers a diverse sampling of witchcraft from around the world and through time. Blatantly honest and frighteningly factual.