Customer Reviews

Strange Revelations: Magic, Poison, And Sacrilege in Louis XIV's France (Magic in History)

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As a graduate student in early modern Europe I thought this book was well done. The book focuses on the poison issue in Louis XIV's France. There is a clear shift in the methods of investigation--meaning each case was carefully examined. The Affair of the Poison was a major event only because members of Louis's court were accused or targeted.


1. The author does not ramble and use every possible quote from accusations, etc. Enough are used to support the flow of her argument, and the pages are not flooded with testimonies. It contrasts "In the Devil's Snare" where the author flooded the pages with testimony after testimony creating a tedious read.

2. Well written and well organized.

3. If your interested in witchcraft/poisons/potions/etc of early modern Europe this is a good book. Furthermore, you do not need to be an expert on the subject matter to understand the argument.


If you are a history student focusing on early modern Europe, get this book. I would also suggest "The Bewitching of Anne Gunther"