Customer Reviews

Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700: A Documentary History (Middle Ages Series)

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I thought nothing could surpass my previous favorite reference book -- the first edition of Kors and Peters' tremendous work. It should be no surprise, then, that it is this, the second edition, that now occupies the seat of honor in my collection.

This collection of source documents is, in my opinion, the best available for the study of European witchcraft persecutions. The documents included are specifically edited to highlight relevant sections. I find this extremely valuable; I'm not always up to searching through the writings of Acquinas to find a particular passage.

This expanded, second edition provides even more of what I've grown to rely upon: a coherent collection of source documents tracing the development of witchcraft in medieval psychology, through the "witchcraze" in early modern Europe, and concluding with the skepticism developing in the 17th Century.

If I'm ever stranded on a desert island, I hope I remembered to bring this book with me.

This book is a collection of source documents, arranged in roughly chronological order, relating to the development of the medieval views on witchcraft and the witch craze. It ends with later, more skeptical voices such as Reginald Scot.

The book begins with excerpts from the works of St. Augustine, eventually works its way through the writings of Thomas Aquinas, the Malleus Malifacarum, witch trial testimony, and even dissenting opinions in verdicts. It shows clearly the development of the image of witch from misguided pagan through diabolical child-killer and the eventual triumph of skepticism in the wake of dangerously self-fulfilling witch hunts.

this book is a compendium of the words of the people who were involved in the witch trials. In it we find the Accusers, the Accused and those who fought against it. All sources are cited, and additional reading on each subject is suggested.
This book was the first where I read about what it was that caused so many clergy to be so rabid in their pursuit, procecution and execution of so many men and women.
I highly recomend it to anyone who is serious about Medieval thought.

Item came in time and in great condition. I have no complaints. My class got canceled though. I suppose that is not your fault :) Want your book back?