Magic: A Very Short Introduction

The concept and practice of magic has attracted the attention of theologians, anthropologists, psychologists, sociologists, artists, and historians. It has been defined in terms of the false religions of others, as an evolutionary stage of human thought, a universal state of mind, and a liberating expression of the imagination. Even today, the subject of magic continues to pervade popular imagination. In this accessible and authoritative Very Short Introduction, Owen Davies provides a wide-ranging overview of how magic has been defined, understood and practised throughout its complex and controversial history.

Owen Davies is Professor of Social History at the University of Hertfordshire. He has written extensively on the history of magic, witchraft, and ghosts, including Grimoires: A History of Magic Books (OUP 2009), The Haunted: A Social History of Ghosts (Palgrave, 2007) and Paganism: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2011)

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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.

Format: Paperback, 152 pages
ISBN: 9780199588022
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 26 January, 2012
Weight: 142g
Dimensions: 175x118x9mm

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