Customer Reviews

Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion: An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Here's my problem with the book: It presents an unfavorable view of certain types of magick and religions. True, I have not finished the book yet, but all you hav to do is read the negative definitions for the words "withcraft: An EVIL power inhert in certain individuals that permits them...to do HARM or cause others MISFORTUNE;" "New Age: a loosley used term describing a combination of spirituality and superstition, a FAD and FARCE, that SUPPOSEDLY helps believes gain knowledge of the unknown;" and two of the four definitions involving the word magick end with the words "intended victim." Granted, the book was originally written in 1985 when withcraft, magick and Wicca weren't as accepted, but it was reprinted in 2001, so you'd think some of the definitions could have been changed. It just doesn't seem like an objective view of the supernatural and magick, but rather a negatively jaded one. It's getting 3 stars becasue I haven't finished it, and there's always a chance it could redeem itself at the end. ~Koppur

This book was interesting in the fact that it went into the supernatural, but kept it's science perspective. I don't know if I would have ever just "picked up" the book to read it. But it was a good text while I was in an Anthropology course. So if you're an Anth major, I definitely suggest it.

I never received this item not sure what happened. But I ordered it over a month ago for my class. Class has ended and I still don't have book. It would be irrelevant to receive it now. I did order another edition from Barnes and Noble and thankfully it came in a timely manner. Really not sure what happened, but I hope it gets resolved for the next customer.