The History of Witchcraft: Traditions, Practices and the Trials of Witches, Wizards and Warlocks. Spells, Rites and Rituals, Sorcery and Magic from Ancient Times to Modern Day Wicca and Neo-Paganism

If truth be told, we've all got - to some extent or other - a healthy or otherwise fascination with witches; even if it's a bit of witchcraft-lite on 31st October each year. And this book is indeed a fascinating read for anyone even remotely curious about the origins and evolution of witchcraft. The wonderfully - and one can't help think appropriately-named Delores Wren has done a great job of blending history, culture and belief into a compelling page-turner with a narrative that’s both educational and entertaining. The approach is balanced and respectful. It doesn’t sensationalise the subject but instead offers a thoughtful look at how witchcraft has been viewed across different centuries and cultures - from ancient practices and misunderstood healers to the horror of witch trials, and on to the rise of modern Wicca and neo-paganism. The book is well-structured covering everything from early religious roots to how witches have been portrayed in literature and pop culture. I was especially engaged by the sections on lesser-known histories like the impact of witchcraft beliefs in Russia and the reminders that modern-day witch hunts are still a reality in some parts of the world. History buff, spiritual seeker or mystical-curious, this book offers a deep and surprisingly emotional look into a topic that’s too often reduced to stereotypes (ref the first paragraph of this review!). It’s informative without being dry and rich with insights. If your only witchy literary reference was the opening of MacBeth, or even if it isn't, this book is highly recommended if you want a serious yet accessible deep dive into the world of witchcraft.

This book is detailed in its examination of the origins, practices, and myths surrounding witchcraft, how and why it was related to the social conditions within particular times and how and where it is still practised today. A great read for anyone interested in the occult.

This is a well researched book that offers a powerful, insightful look at witchcraft’s global history. Packed with gripping real-life trials, hidden magical traditions, and rich illustrations, it’s both educational and highly imaginative. I really enjoyed it and it's perfect for anyone curious about the mysteries and societal impact of witchcraft.

I found this to be a fascinating dive into the history of witches and witchcraft. It is well written and the style is easy to read. If you are into witches you will love this as I did.

Very interesting and easy to read. Written in an easy to follow structure without too much jargon. It covers the beginnings of witchcraft and details the witch trials through out the World detailing the social effects of the time. Also details the people that have impacted the development of witchcraft. Very interesting for anyone interested in the growth of witch craft and how it has adapted or looking for information on how the witch trials differed depending on the area of the World you were in. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book was extremely informative and was written in very accessible manner. I liked how the chapters were divided to give different information about witchcraft and I particularly enjoyed how the history of the persecution of 'perceived' witches was explained by country/region. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the history of witchcraft in general as well as how perceptions of witches have differed across time and place. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A comprehensive view of witchcraft through history and cultures, however there are some inaccuracies with regard to the information given on British history, otherwise an interesting read.

Not only history but also detail explanation of the subject. The book is clearly well researched, systematic and reflect hard work of the author. The book is coming across as neutral (it is not trying to convince) and rather scientific / academic nevertheless easy to read and enjoyable at the same time. The witchcraft is being practiced even these days and practically everywhere by various people and societies and therefore it is useful to have some knowledge about the subject. I recommend this book.

The History of Witchcraft by Delores E. Wren cast its spell on me from the first page. I've been hooked on witches ever since I saw The Wizard of Oz at the cinema when it first came out (yes, I'm that old!). That green-faced Wicked Witch scared the life out of me—but she also planted a fascination that's stayed with me for life. This book reminded me why: witches are endlessly complex, powerful, misunderstood, and—sometimes—terrifying. Wren does a brilliant job of taking us from ancient rites and herbal charms to the burning times of Europe and right through to modern-day Wicca and Neo-Paganism. The detail is impressive—there are no frog-to-prince spells here, but plenty on cunning folk, divination, and how superstition and social tension often shaped the darker chapters of history. Sure, it leans a bit academic in places, and there are a few factual wobbles if you're a stickler for Salem timelines—but for the casual reader, it's fascinating stuff. I loved how the book breaks things down by region and era, all while challenging our outdated ideas of what a witch really was. And I must say, the exploration of how witchcraft has survived—and even thrived—is deeply inspiring. This is one for history lovers, folklore fans, and anyone who's ever wondered what lies behind the pointy hats and broomsticks. It's informative, thought-provoking, and oddly comforting. Witches, it turns out, were often just people like us—seeking healing, understanding, and a bit of control in a chaotic world. A cracking read!

This book is an absolute treasure for anyone curious about the real history behind witchcraft! So much information, super in-depth and eye opening. It's better than other books on the market because it includes so much information in a way that isn't repetitive or boring- no matter how much knowledge you currently have about the history of witchcraft, you will learn more. :)

This book offers a fresh perspective on the misunderstood history of witchcraft. Humanizing witches as real people, the book explores their rituals, persecution, and redemption. It also discovers lesser-known aspects, including the Russian history of witchcraft, artistic portrayals, and modern-day witch hunts. With meticulous research, this thought-provoking book challenges misconceptions and sheds light on the enduring impact of witchcraft on society. A must-read for those interested in this fascinating subject.

A great resource to gain a better understanding of witchcraft. It’s well-researched and easy to read with lots of interesting facts. It clarified a lot of misconceptions and helped me to broaden my pov of how the practice works. I like that it goes over the history of its ancient practices.

This book reads more like an academic study, something I truly appreciated. It explains what witchcraft is, the history of witchcraft, possible connections to the Bible, and more. To help the reader understand more, several real-life historical witches are presented by name, with stories about each. The book gets really interesting when talking about the different practices of witchcraft and wizards (which is listed as also being warlocks). There are several narratives about witchcraft in different places around the world, and eventually takes to reader on a journey to learn more about modern witchcraft. This is a must-have book for those interested in an in depth overview of witchraft, and it is especially helpful to any author writing on the subject. I picked up this book with no intention of taking it serious, but it left me immensely curious.