Witchcraft A Very Short Introduction
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Witchcraft A Very Short Introduction
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Author : Malcolm Gaskill
language : en
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Release Date : 2010-03-25
Witchcraft A Very Short Introduction written by Malcolm Gaskill and has been published by OUP Oxford this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2010-03-25 with Body, Mind & Spirit categories.
Witchcraft is a subject that fascinates us all, and everyone knows what a witch is - or do they? From childhood most of us develop a sense of the mysterious, malign person, usually an old woman. Historically, too, we recognize witch-hunting as a feature of pre-modern societies. But why do witches still feature so heavily in our cultures and consciousness? From Halloween to superstitions, and literary references such as Faust and even Harry Potter, witches still feature heavily in our society. In this Very Short Introduction Malcolm Gaskill challenges all of this, and argues that what we think we know is, in fact, wrong. Taking a historical perspective from the ancient world to contemporary paganism, Gaskill reveals how witchcraft has meant different things to different people and that in every age it has raised questions about the distinction between fantasy and reality, faith and proof. Telling stories, delving into court records, and challenging myths, Gaskill examines the witch-hunts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and explores the reinvention of witchcraft - as history, religion, fiction, and metaphor. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Magic A Very Short Introduction
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Author : Owen Davies
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2012-01-26
Magic A Very Short Introduction written by Owen Davies and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2012-01-26 with History categories.
A wide-ranging overview of how magic has been defined, understood and practiced over the millennia introduces it in today's world as a real force that helps people overcome misfortune, poverty and illness. By the author of Grimoires: A History of Magic Books. Original.
Paganism A Very Short Introduction
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Author : Owen Davies
language : en
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Release Date : 2011-05-26
Paganism A Very Short Introduction written by Owen Davies and has been published by OUP Oxford this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2011-05-26 with Religion categories.
'Paganism' is an evocative word that, even today, conjures up deep-seated emotions and prejudices. Until recently, it was primarily a derogatory term used by Christians to describe the non-Christian cultures confronted and vanquished by their Churches. For some it evokes images of sacrifice and barbaric behaviour, while for others it symbolises a peace-loving, nature-worshipping spiritual relationship with the earth. This Very Short Introduction explores the meaning of paganism - through a chronological overview of the attitudes towards its practices and beliefs - from the ancient world through to the present day. Owen Davies largely looks at paganism through the eyes of the Christian world, and how, over the centuries, notions and representations of its nature were shaped by religious conflict, power struggles, colonialism, and scholarship. Despite the expansion of Christianity and Islam, Pagan cultures continue to exist around the world, whilst in the West new formations of paganism constitute one of the fastest-growing religions. Focussing on paganism in Europe, but exploring the nature of paganism globally, Davies looks at how Europeans discovered new cultures through colonial expansion, missionary work, and anthropological study. Contemporary social paganism can be a liberating and social force, and the idea of a global Pagan theology is now on the religious map. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
American History A Very Short Introduction
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Author : Paul S. Boyer
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2012-08-16
American History A Very Short Introduction written by Paul S. Boyer and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2012-08-16 with History categories.
This volume in Oxford's A Very Short Introduction series offers a concise, readable narrative of the vast span of American history, from the earliest human migrations to the early twenty-first century when the United States loomed as a global power and comprised a complex multi-cultural society of more than 300 million people. The narrative is organized around major interpretive themes, with facts and dates introduced as needed to illustrate these themes. The emphasis throughout is on clarity and accessibility to the interested non-specialist.
The Oxford History Of Witchcraft And Magic
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Author : Owen Davies
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2023-02-23
The Oxford History Of Witchcraft And Magic written by Owen Davies and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2023-02-23 with Magic categories.
Histories you can trust. This history provides a readable and fresh approach to the extensive and complex story of witchcraft and magic. Telling the story from the dawn of writing in the ancient world to the globally successful Harry Potter films, the authors explore a wide range of magical beliefs and practices, the rise of the witch trials, and the depiction of the Devil-worshipping witch. The book also focuses on the more recent history of witchcraft and magic, from the Enlightenment to the present, exploring the rise of modern magic, the anthropology of magic around the globe, and finally the cinematic portrayal of witches and magicians, from The Wizard of Oz to Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The Devil A Very Short Introduction
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Author : Darren Oldridge
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2012-05-31
The Devil A Very Short Introduction written by Darren Oldridge and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2012-05-31 with Religion categories.
The Devil has fascinated writers and theologians since the time of the New Testament, and inspired many dramatic and haunting works of art. Today he remains a potent image in popular culture. The Devil: A Very Short Introduction presents an introduction to the Christian Devil through the history of ideas and the lives of real people.
Fairy Tale
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Author : Marina Warner
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2018
Fairy Tale written by Marina Warner and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2018 with Fairy tales categories.
Marina Warner guides us through the rich world of fairy tale, from Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel to Snow White and Pan's Labyrinth. Exploring pervasive themes of folklore, myth, the supernatural, imagination, and fantasy, Warner highlights the impact of the genre on human understanding, history, and culture.
Superstition A Very Short Introduction
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Author : Stuart Vyse
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2020-01-23
Superstition A Very Short Introduction written by Stuart Vyse and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2020-01-23 with Social Science categories.
Do you touch wood for luck, or avoid hotel rooms on floor thirteen? Would you cross the path of a black cat, or step under a ladder? Is breaking a mirror just an expensive waste of glass, or something rather more sinister? Despite the dominance of science in today's world, superstitious beliefs - both traditional and new - remain surprisingly popular. A recent survey of adults in the United States found that 33 percent believed that finding a penny was good luck, and 23 percent believed that the number seven was lucky. Where did these superstitions come from, and why do they persist today? This Very Short Introduction explores the nature and surprising history of superstition from antiquity to the present. For two millennia, superstition was a label derisively applied to foreign religions and unacceptable religious practices, and its primary purpose was used to separate groups and assert religious and social authority. After the Enlightenment, the superstition label was still used to define groups, but the new dividing line was between reason and unreason. Today, despite our apparent sophistication and technological advances, superstitious belief and behaviour remain widespread, and highly educated people are not immune. Stuart Vyse takes an exciting look at the varieties of popular superstitious beliefs today and the psychological reasons behind their continued existence, as well as the likely future course of superstition in our increasingly connected world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
African Religions
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Author : Jacob K. Olupona
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2014
African Religions written by Jacob K. Olupona and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2014 with History categories.
This book connects traditional religions to the thriving religious activity in Africa today.
The Oxford History Of Witchcraft And Magic
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Author : Owen Davies
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2023-01-24
The Oxford History Of Witchcraft And Magic written by Owen Davies and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2023-01-24 with History categories.
Histories you can trust. This history provides a readable and fresh approach to the extensive and complex story of witchcraft and magic. Telling the story from the dawn of writing in the ancient world to the globally successful Harry Potter films, the authors explore a wide range of magical beliefs and practices, the rise of the witch trials, and the depiction of the Devil-worshipping witch. The book also focuses on the more recent history of witchcraft and magic, from the Enlightenment to the present, exploring the rise of modern magic, the anthropology of magic around the globe, and finally the cinematic portrayal of witches and magicians, from The Wizard of Oz to Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.