Man, Myth and Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown [Library Binding]

Richard Cavendish (Author)

Product Details

• Library Binding: 3201 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Corp (January 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863070418
• ISBN-13: 978-0863070419
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,736,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Profusely Illustrated, September 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Man, Myth and Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown (21 Volume Set) (Hardcover)

I own the 1970, 24 volume, set. I haven't seen the revised editions, but I'm sure they can only make a good set better. Although this set is comprehensive in that it covers a wide range of subjects, it is not exhaustive and is not intended to be. Only key elements or highlights of each subject are presented and a bibliography is provided for those who want to research deeper. This set is probably the definitive introduction to the field of the supernatural and related subjects and it is profusely illustrated with artwork, photographs, diagrams and charts. Some of the pictures are graphic and some contain gore and nudity, so I recommend this set only for mature readers. - Brad Clark

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A study of human belief systems, August 26, 2005

By 

Malleus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man, Myth and Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown (Library Binding)

I too will refer to the 1970 edition of the encyclopaedia set (I was lucky to be able to purchase the set recently are a relatively low price) as I have yet to see later editions. I was fortunate to have come across this set in my local library as a youth and recently purchased a set of my own after an exhaustive search. Unlike so many childhood memories who's colours fade with age and experience, the joy I have when I read from this set is as vibrant as it was in my youth, though now I can also appreciate Man, Myth and Magic from a more intellectual vantage.

Man, Myth and Magic explores the realms of religion, spirituality, psychology and the occult. Articles within the 24 volume set range from the obscure (Wandering Bishops and various manifestations of witchcraft hysterias) to the very well known (articles on major world religions). The authors tend to be experts in their respective fields of research and are, by and large, objective in the treatment of their subjects. There are, however, some writers who have a vested interest what they write about - the article on Druidism contains two articles, one written by an historian which focuses on the known history of druids through contemporary writers (such as Julius Caesar) and archaeology, the other written by a "modern" druid who speaks of the modern incarnation of druidism. In most cases this is appropriate and as the credulous is contrasted with the objective skeptic I'm okay with this treatment. Unfortunately in a few cases there is no counterbalance. For example, in the section entitled "The Frontiers of Belief" is an article written about H.P. Lovecraft. The author surmises that Lovecraft's short stories and poems must have been inspired by real, other worldly creatures, a claim that Lovecraft himself would scoff at. Still, despite rare instances of overly credulous authors, Man, Myth and Magic tends towards the objective examination of man kind's belief systems, be they mystical or based on science.

If you manage to find the complete set, no small feat I might add, you would do well to pick this set up.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars its great for people who like "strange phenomena", October 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Man, Myth and Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown (21 Volume Set) (Hardcover)

It's great set of books, with about every strange thing you could want to read about. It's interesting, and it doesn't push it's words on you. It leaves room for you to decide how you feel about it. I really love the palmistry section. I would (and do) recommend it to anyone interested in man, myth, and magic.