Grimoires

A History of Magic Books

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, Magic Studies, History
Cover of the book Grimoires by Owen Davies, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Owen Davies ISBN: 9780191509247
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: September 23, 2010
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Owen Davies
ISBN: 9780191509247
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: September 23, 2010
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

What is a grimoire? The word has a familiar ring to many people, particularly as a consequence of such popular television dramas as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed. But few people are sure exactly what it means. Put simply, grimoires are books of spells that were first recorded in the Ancient Middle East and which have developed and spread across much of the Western Hemisphere and beyond over the ensuing millennia. At their most benign, they contain charms and remedies for natural and supernatural ailments and advice on contacting spirits to help find treasures and protect from evil. But at their most sinister they provide instructions on how to manipulate people for corrupt purposes and, worst of all, to call up and make a pact with the Devil. Both types have proven remarkably resilient and adaptable and retain much of their relevance and fascination to this day. But the grimoire represents much more than just magic. To understand the history of grimoires is to understand the spread of Christianity, the development of early science, the cultural influence of the print revolution, the growth of literacy, the impact of colonialism, and the expansion of western cultures across the oceans. As this book richly demonstrates, the history of grimoires illuminates many of the most important developments in European history over the last two thousand years.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

What is a grimoire? The word has a familiar ring to many people, particularly as a consequence of such popular television dramas as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed. But few people are sure exactly what it means. Put simply, grimoires are books of spells that were first recorded in the Ancient Middle East and which have developed and spread across much of the Western Hemisphere and beyond over the ensuing millennia. At their most benign, they contain charms and remedies for natural and supernatural ailments and advice on contacting spirits to help find treasures and protect from evil. But at their most sinister they provide instructions on how to manipulate people for corrupt purposes and, worst of all, to call up and make a pact with the Devil. Both types have proven remarkably resilient and adaptable and retain much of their relevance and fascination to this day. But the grimoire represents much more than just magic. To understand the history of grimoires is to understand the spread of Christianity, the development of early science, the cultural influence of the print revolution, the growth of literacy, the impact of colonialism, and the expansion of western cultures across the oceans. As this book richly demonstrates, the history of grimoires illuminates many of the most important developments in European history over the last two thousand years.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Infertility by Owen Davies
Cover of the book Neuroethics by Owen Davies
Cover of the book Glaciation: A Very Short Introduction by Owen Davies
Cover of the book Evolutionary Biomechanics by Owen Davies
Cover of the book Innovation: A Very Short Introduction by Owen Davies
Cover of the book Lessons from Problem-based Learning by Owen Davies
Cover of the book The English Constitution by Owen Davies
Cover of the book An Introduction to Clinical Governance and Patient Safety by Owen Davies
Cover of the book The Thirty-Nine Steps by Owen Davies
Cover of the book The Law of Non-International Armed Conflict by Owen Davies
Cover of the book The European Convention on Human Rights by Owen Davies
Cover of the book Oxford Studies in Political Philosophy, Volume 3 by Owen Davies
Cover of the book The International Law of Property by Owen Davies
Cover of the book Trade, Commerce, and the State in the Roman World by Owen Davies
Cover of the book Nicholls, Montgomery, and Knowles on The Law of Extradition and Mutual Assistance by Owen Davies
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy