The A to Z of Witchcraft

A reprint from 2003, this dictionary for academics and general readers contains entries on the history of witchcraft. Focusing on Western Europe during the late medieval and early modern periods, Bailey (history, Iowa State U.) explains terminology, people, legal terms and concepts relating to the prosecution of witchcraft, religious and theological concepts, the role of women, popular beliefs and aspects of common folklore and mythology, places, and specific witch-hunts, as well as magic and witchcraft in the early Christian period and the modern world, and the development of Wicca. Aspects and systems of magic found around the world, such as Africa, and the New World practices of Voodoo and Santeria, are included. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Michael D. Bailey is visiting assistant professor in the department of history at Iowa State University. He is the author of Battling Demons: Witchcraft, Heresy, and Reform in the Late Middle Ages. He has held academic positions at Bethany College, Kansas, at the University of Cincinnati, at the Medieval Institute of the University of Notre Dame, and at Saint Louis University. His principal research interests focus on the history of magic, witchcraft, and superstition in Europe.