Buy new:
-23% $30.60
FREE delivery Saturday, July 27 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$30.60 with 23 percent savings
List Price: $39.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, July 27 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 11 hrs 3 mins
In Stock
$$30.60 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$30.60
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$20.83
May show signs of wear, highlighting, writing, and previous use. This item may be a former library book with typical markings. No guarantee on products that contain supplements Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Twenty-five year bookseller with shipments to over fifty million happy customers. May show signs of wear, highlighting, writing, and previous use. This item may be a former library book with typical markings. No guarantee on products that contain supplements Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Twenty-five year bookseller with shipments to over fifty million happy customers. See less
$3.99 delivery July 29 - August 2. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$30.60 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$30.60
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by ---SuperBookDeals.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Christopher Dell
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Occult, Witchcraft and Magic: An Illustrated History Hardcover – October 18, 2016

by Christopher Dell (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 384 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$30.60","priceAmount":30.60,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"30","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"60","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Z9%2BAH1TWWoLlzVvP67Yv2v0Hnk1jyUfU6UxoNxJJ7YGL94SBfC7T6Z3ODfKNwbroAZdiodkkyUYWvjZzunbmyPl%2FqlJn06ej%2Bfe4bqmQ9sLijTy1WyVnKCKBxHqjRV%2BdGoDOSRdY98GZfvkFSWlxCQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$20.83","priceAmount":20.83,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"20","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"83","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Z9%2BAH1TWWoLlzVvP67Yv2v0Hnk1jyUfUd%2FfDqebFJvctPvk%2FM4jDAetn1oTEjqUMd0Opw4CQxBdS0UvuBGfycUq2fqBr7u%2FEDErkQ44xPOqToGSFxiUXBXbvp8uOAtpK4%2BiDMAvcHsvqcTnuuZpBMwRyxt6XnV%2BgGb2gJW8gaJq8%2B7vVezf%2BUCckLeK%2B7ejR","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

The curious history of magic and the powers of the occult, witchcraft, ritual, and the imagination, from their earliest appearances to modern times

From the days of the earliest Paleolithic cave rituals, magic has gripped the imagination. Magic and magicians appear in early Babylonian texts, the Bible, Judaism, and Islam. Secret words, spells, and incantations lie at the heart of nearly every mythological tradition. But for every genuine magus there is an impostor.

During the Middle Ages, religion, science, and magic were difficult to set apart. The Middle Ages also saw the pursuit of alchemy―the magical transformation of base materials―which led to a fascination with the occult, Freemasonry, and Rosicrucianism.

The turn of the twentieth century witnessed a return to earlier magical traditions, and today, magic means many things: contemporary Wicca is practiced widely as a modern pagan religion in Europe and the US; “magic” also stretches to include the nonspiritual, rapid-fire sleight of hand performed by slick stage magicians who fill vast arenas.

The Occult, Witchcraft and Magic is packed with authoritative text and a huge and inspired selection of images, some chosen from unusual sources, including some of the best-known representations of magic and the occult from around the world spanning ancient to modern times.

400+ illustrations, 300+ in color
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Thames & Hudson
  4. Publication date
    October 18, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    8.4 x 1.4 x 10.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0500518882
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0500518885
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

The Occult, Witchcraft and Magic: An Illustrated History
$30.60
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 27
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult (DK A History of)
$19.29
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 27
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Occult Book: A Chronological Journey from Alchemy to Wicca (Union Square & Co. Chronologies)
$13.45
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 27
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Control
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[An] invaluable source book on the history and practice of magic and occultism, filled with mystical symbols and perplexing charts. Whether the reader attempts to practice magic upon finishing this book is not as important to Dell as tracing the origins and roots of magic throughout the centuries. Layered throughout is a visually satisfying collection of eclectic and sometimes jarring photographs that will fascinate and stir curiosity."
― Publishers Weekly (starred review)

About the Author

Christopher Dell holds a degree in the History of Art from the Courtauld Institute, London. He has written and edited several books on art and visual culture, including Freemasonry, Mythology, WhatMakes a Masterpiece, and Monsters: A Bestiary of the Bizarre.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thames & Hudson (October 18, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0500518882
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0500518885
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.88 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.4 x 1.4 x 10.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 384 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Christopher Dell

Christopher Dell

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
384 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the illustrations beautifully illustrated and the content informative. However, some find the book not entirely what they expected.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
IllustrationsContent
17 customers mention "Illustrations"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book beautiful, with good prints. They also say the book has interesting content and pictures, and is nicely published with thick, glossy pages. Customers also say it's a well-written reference book.

"The book has some of the best illustrations I’ve so far in my opinion...." Read more

"This book is very well done. The illustrations are beautiful, it is well typeset and it is fairly well researched...." Read more

"Awesome book! The pictures are amazing and the book is super informative I can't confirm the information is correct since I'm a newbie to most of..." Read more

"Filled with useful, full-page illustrations. The author presents more solid historical information that I thought would be the case...." Read more

9 customers mention "Content"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and beautiful, with lots of history.

"...So far from what I have skimmed this book has so much information that my mind is already blown away by...." Read more

"...The illustrations are beautiful, it is well typeset and it is fairly well researched. This book is an illustrated history and more of a survey...." Read more

"Awesome book! The pictures are amazing and the book is super informative I can't confirm the information is correct since I'm a newbie to most of..." Read more

"Filled with useful, full-page illustrations. The author presents more solid historical information that I thought would be the case...." Read more

The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic
5 out of 5 stars
The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic
The book has some of the best illustrations I’ve so far in my opinion. It’s a thick book, that I’m going to be using for research for a novel that I’m beginning to write. As well as many other books. I don’t know much about witchcraft or witches other than what I’ve seen in the movies or tv shows. I know I’m in for one great history lesson. One subject that has always fascinated me. So far from what I have skimmed this book has so much information that my mind is already blown away by. I can’t wait to devour this book while doing researching for my own book.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Callme_Hippie
5.0 out of 5 stars The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
The book has some of the best illustrations I’ve so far in my opinion. It’s a thick book, that I’m going to be using for research for a novel that I’m beginning to write. As well as many other books. I don’t know much about witchcraft or witches other than what I’ve seen in the movies or tv shows. I know I’m in for one great history lesson. One subject that has always fascinated me. So far from what I have skimmed this book has so much information that my mind is already blown away by. I can’t wait to devour this book while doing researching for my own book.
Customer image
Callme_Hippie
5.0 out of 5 stars The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2022
The book has some of the best illustrations I’ve so far in my opinion. It’s a thick book, that I’m going to be using for research for a novel that I’m beginning to write. As well as many other books. I don’t know much about witchcraft or witches other than what I’ve seen in the movies or tv shows. I know I’m in for one great history lesson. One subject that has always fascinated me. So far from what I have skimmed this book has so much information that my mind is already blown away by. I can’t wait to devour this book while doing researching for my own book.
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
Helpful
 Report
James Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Well Done
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is very well done. The illustrations are beautiful, it is well typeset and it is fairly well researched. This book is an illustrated history and more of a survey. It is not a research tome and it is not a practicum. I don't understand the negative reviews here making that complaint. If you are looking to research the occult in depth visit Tarl Warwick's author page. Everything you'd need to start is there. This was done by the people behind the Atlas Obscura and is more of a coffee table book of curiosities. Nice addition to my casual library.
16 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Mel
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
Awesome book! The pictures are amazing and the book is super informative I can't confirm the information is correct since I'm a newbie to most of the information but it is an all around really cool book. Would make a great gift!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Winitu
5.0 out of 5 stars Filled with useful, full-page illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
Filled with useful, full-page illustrations. The author presents more solid historical information that I thought would be the case. Dell (mostly) knows what he's talking about. If you want a quick overview of the occult and magic starting with ancient Mesopotamia to the present, this is a good place to start.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
M.R.
5.0 out of 5 stars stunning
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
beautifully illustrated
Helpful
 Report
Holly M. Meechan
5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice book
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
Love all the great pictures!
Helpful
 Report
J.A. Grier
4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely printed with lots of art, but history is lacking
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
I bought this book to be an eye-catching addition to my goth/witchy bookshelf. It fits the bill for my needs - large, nicely published with thick, glossy pages, and has many interesting images. But the book bills itself as a history, and it isn't. There are no citations/references in text - even wikipedia requires citations for any assertions, facts, or other information to be within the text. So here you have no means of determining what is a confirmed fact, or widely accepted theory, or potential hypothesis, or wild speculation from the author. Knowing much about the topic, I see that this book contains all of these. I spotted several factual errors, and conclude there are doubtless others in areas with which I am less familiar. The book also contains some language unfriendly to certain minority groups. If you are looking for entertainment or a potpourri of witchy inspiration, the book delivers. But if you are looking for actual history, definitely go elsewhere.
13 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Simay
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved that!
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
The seller has packaged my order very well, it was really clean! And i thought shipping won't be that fast but it has arrived at the time that the seller told! So if you wanna buy this product but you suspect about the seller and shipping stuff, just buy it. This book is a masterpiece!
Customer image
Simay
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved that!
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
The seller has packaged my order very well, it was really clean! And i thought shipping won't be that fast but it has arrived at the time that the seller told! So if you wanna buy this product but you suspect about the seller and shipping stuff, just buy it. This book is a masterpiece!
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Hannah
5.0 out of 5 stars Informativ und knapp
Reviewed in Germany on February 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
Dad Buch ist wunderschön gestaltet und sehr informativ. Es schneidet viele Themen an und bietet eine tolle Grundlage. Ich habe es für eine Ausarbeitung gekauft und bin begeistert!
Report
The Angry Druid
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book, well exceeding my expectations.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a strikingly beautifully illustrated and heavy book. I should have known what size it was when I ordered it, but obviously never checked. Every page is illustrated. The only criticism I have so far is that many of the illustrations are from classical paintings but the painting title and painter name seem to be missing, which is a shame as it is not possible to find the original artwork or date it accurately.

The paper is good quality, heavy and slightly glossy. The colour illustrations are excellent. The illustrations are the primary material of this book. The text is almost just to fill in some background to help with the understanding.

The format is roughly a subject to a spread with illustrations and a little text. The text is brief, and goes into little depth, but covers a great many aspects. This format is not imposed rigidly and some subjects cover multiple spreads. There is not enough detail to become bored with it, and it might initiate research into areas of interest in more detailed works.

For an introductory text on arcane teachings of many peoples I have not seen a better one. I think anyone would
be happy to own this book. I have been interested by some of these teachings for many years (currently reading the White Goddess), but this book will remain a pleasure to own and to refer back to.

This is a gem of a book.
3 people found this helpful
 Report
Justine
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book :)
Reviewed in France on December 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
Great !
Report
maruzza costantino
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in Italy on November 25, 2018
Verified Purchase
Splendide immagini per quantità e qualità
Report
Daniela R.
5.0 out of 5 stars Alta calidad, precioso libro.
Reviewed in Spain on May 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
Es un libro precioso y de alta calidad. Tiene muchas imágenes y no mucho texto. Es uno de esos libros que son casi más para mirar que para coger y leer.
Report