The Witches Almanac: Sorcerers, Witches and Magic from Ancient Rome to the Digital Age

★ Starred Review. … a true compendium of who’s who in the world of witchcraft throughout Western civilization. … Each chapter defines an era of how magic and witches were perceived, defined, accepted, or persecuted in Europe and North America. The book provides numerous known details about the lives of practitioners of magic, witches, and alchemists, from the Middle Ages to the age of TikTok. … Extremely thorough and engagingly written, this title is an excellent historical reference for readers and students of the occult and witchcraft. -Library Journal

... profiles about 360 witches and sorcerers from antiquity to the present, focusing on the Western/English-speaking world. He organizes individuals by theme or chronological era, such as the Middle Ages, witches at the royal courts of Europe, the Salem Witch Trials, feminism, witchcraft in postwar Germany, witch-hunts and black magic in modern times, and witchcraft in the digital age, with introductory information on the historical context and issues, followed by biographical entries. He does not include fictional characters or Satanism, Devil worship, Wicca, or other variants of Neopagan religion. Book News

… a biographical directory of witches, sorcerers, and individuals who practiced magical arts. … Each section is introduced by a multi-page essay that provides background context and sets the scene regarding the prevalence of witchcraft and its legal, religious, and social influence on everyday life. … Many of these accounts are surprisingly detailed, perhaps due to having been recorded in church records or legal proceedings … Booklist

… reins in a significant volume of biographical and historical material. A plethora of personalities and events are considered … the book begins in the Classical world … contextualises the Middle Ages and the Renaissance periods … theocratic authoritarianism of the 16th and 17th centuries gives way to a heterodox cauldron of alchemy, ceremonial magic, Freemasonry and “toad bone” cunning folk … draws a clear genealogical line between the centuries … By concluding with a brief mention of a more recent trend in North American witchcraft … he strikes a positive note amidst a dark and disturbing history in part. … A thoroughly enjoyable survey with copious illustrations, thematic inset panels, index and basic bibliography … Fortean Times

… truly an engaging must-read that will give insight to the witchcraft that has been seen in history such as witch trials, popes accused of sorcery, and even Henry VII’s accusations of Anne Boleyn. … riveting biographies in a well-organized format with some that date back to Apollonius of Tyana (c. 3 B.C.E-97 C.E.) and going to modern witches such as Starhawk and Zsuzsanna Budapest. There hasn’t been another book like this that contains this vast of an assortment pertaining to witches. An incredible resource that touches upon the history of witches in an almanac that is perfect for readers interested in witches and history, those studying wicca, students, and teachers. Manhattan Book Review

… a pretty solid text on the history of magic. … And as far as operating as a “biographical dictionary” of magicians, “The Witches Almanac” does a fantastic job. I was hard pressed to think of any practitioners that may have been missed. Also, rest assured, “The Witches Almanac” has an excellent index, just in case you want to find a specific person. If you’re looking for a rough history of magic that has the main focus on the practitioners that shaped it, “The Witches Almanac” by Charles Christian is not to be missed! The Magical Buffet