The first ever history of magic books - or grimoires - from the ancient Middle East through to the modern day, from harmless charms and remedies to sinister pacts with the Devil.

Owen Davies is Reader in Social History at the University of Hertfordshire. His previous books include The Haunted: A Social History of Ghosts; Murder, Magic, Madness: The Victorian Trials of Dove and the Wizard; and Cunning-folk: Popular Magic in English History.

• Introduction


• 1: Ancient and Medieval Grimoires


• 2: The War against Magic


• 3: Enlightenment and Treasure


• 4: Across the Oceans


• 5: Rediscovering Ancient Magic


• 6: Grimoires USA


• 7: Pulp Magic


• 8: Lovecraft, Satan, and Shadows


• 9: Epilogue


• Further Reading


• Notes


• Index