A history of magic and those who have claimed to have supernatural abilities, from biblical references to witchcraft to magic in ancient Rome and Greece.
First published in 1834, this volume was written by William Godwin, English philosopher and father of Mary Shelley, the author of
Frankenstein
. The book opens with an introduction suggesting the various roots and origins of different superstitions. Godwin details famous figures in the history of witchcraft and sorcery, such as Merlin and Roger Bacon.
The contents of this volume feature:
- Ambitious Nature of Man
- His Desire to Penetrate into Futurity
- Divination
- Augury
- Chiromancy
- Physiognomy
- Casting of Lots
- Astrology
- Oracles
- Delphi
- The Desire to Command and Control Future Events
- Commerce with the Invisible World
- Sorcery and Enchantment