The Book of Witchcraft

Bram Stoker · Charles Mackay · William Godwin · Walter Scott · Charles Wentworth Upham · Jules Michelet · John Ashton · Howard Williams · Increase Mather · Cotton Mather · Allen Putnam · George Moir · Frederick George Lee · James Thacher · M. V. B. Perley · Wilhelm Meinhold · John M. Taylor · E. Lynn Linton · William P. Upham · W. H. Davenport Adams · M. Schele de Vere · St. John D. Seymour · John G. Campbell · John Maxwell Wood · Samuel Roberts Wells · Margaret Murray

Nov. 2022 · DigiCat

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Bram Stoker's 'The Book of Witchcraft' is a compendium of historical and cultural analysis, meticulously amalgamating an array of perspectives on the phenomena of witchcraft, sorcery, and the supernatural. Stoker's narrative, rich in detail and steeped in the lore and legends of centuries past, charts the course of magic and necromancy across Europe and America, from the darkest rituals to the sensational witch trials. His literary style weaves historical fact with the occult, presenting a tableau of social commentary within the broader literary context of Victorian-era fascination with the gothic and the macabre. Readers are treated to both an erudite history and a collection of the most striking tales and studies on the subject, making it a singular work within the annals of supernatural literature. Bram Stoker, best known for his magnum opus 'Dracula,' demonstrates a profound interest in the darker corners of the human psyche and the societal forces that shape belief in the supernatural. This curated anthology aligns with Stoker's lifelong fascination with the liminal spaces where myth and reality intertwine. His personal exploration into the realms of fear and superstition illuminates the cultural underpinnings that prompted such fervent witch hunts and trials, offering insight into how these practices both reflected and shaped societal norms and fears of the times. 'The Book of Witchcraft' appeals to both the connoisseur of historical folklore and the lay reader eager to delve into the intricacies of occult beliefs and their real-world ramifications. Stoker's scholarly approach provides a compelling entry point for those seeking to understand the pervasive power of witchcraft narratives in shaping Western culture and history. It is recommended for history enthusiasts, fans of Stoker's gothic fictions, and anyone interested in the intricate tapestry of how supernatural beliefs are woven into the fabric of societal evolution.

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Abraham 'Bram' Stoker (1847–1912) stands as a titanic figure in the landscape of gothic literature, imbued with a legacy that is as enduring as it is influential. While Stoker's name is inextricably linked with his 1897 tour de force 'Dracula', which singularly redefined the mythos of the vampire for generations, his oeuvre extends beyond this seminal work. Born in Clontarf, Dublin, Stoker's foray into the literary world was buttressed by his academic pursuits at Trinity College and was further complemented by his career as a civil servant and as the managing director of the Lyceum Theatre in London. Beyond 'Dracula', his canon includes such works as 'The Book of Witchcraft', a testament to his encompassing fascination with the occult and supernatural. Stoker's literary style is marked by a mastery of suspense and an adeptness in the use of epistolary narrative, weaving together a rich tapestry of diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings, which invite readers to piece together the mysteries held within. Though his life's journey concluded with the setting of the sun in 1912, Bram Stoker's shadow continues to loom over the literary world, ensuring that his contributions to the fabric of horror and gothic literature will be felt for centuries to come.