Montague Summers, The history of witchcraft, University Books, New York, 1956 Augustus Montague Summers (1880-1948) was an English author, clergyman, occultist, and teacher. He wrote extensively on witchcraft, demonology, and the supernatural. His most famous works include "The History of Witchcraft and Demonology" and "The Vampire in Europe." Summers was born in 1880 and was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1908. However, his unorthodox views and theatrical personality led to conflicts with the Church, ultimately culminating in his resignation in 1912. He then pursued a career as a writer and lecturer, focusing on subjects like witchcraft, demonology, and the supernatural. Summers' work was often controversial, usually considered a mix of valuable historical research and sensationalized portrayals of the occult. He became associated with the occult scene by editing magazines and even engaging in rituals and exorcisms. His personal life was shrouded in secrecy, fueled by rumors about his private library filled with occult artifacts and his alleged involvement in questionable practices. The History of Witchcraft and Demonology was one of the first comprehensive examinations of the topics of magic and is a well-known reference in the field.. Summers meticulously compiled historical accounts of alleged witchcraft throughout history, providing valuable source material for researchers. The book offers a glimpse into past societal beliefs and fears surrounding witchcraft and demons, contributing to our understanding of historical perspectives on these topics. Summers firmly believed in the reality of witchcraft and demons, at times leading to a non-objective presentation. His views have been criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes that contribute to the persecution of witches in the past. In any case, Summers translated and edited many rare historical texts, like the infamous witch-hunters' manual Malleus Maleficarum: while his interpretations might be biased, these translations make these sources more accessible and readily available to modern readers. For those interested in the evolution of folklore and occult beliefs, Summers' work provides a broad and detailed survey of of the most widespread and popular traditions concerning magic, sorcery and witchcraft. XXIII-353 pages; 22 cm. Bibliography p. 315. Index p. 347, Silver/gray cloth with black title on spine. The dust jacket has some wear around the edges. Occasional foxing on first pages and inside the jacket. First American edition. Book in very good conditions. PS: I'll ship the book carefully packaged in bubble wrap, via An Post, the Irish Postal Service ("Registered Post, Tracking, Insurance included to protect your valuable items"). I will provide the tracking number once dispatched. Thanks for visiting this page!