Black Arts, The : Cavendish, Richard, Horowitz, Mitch: desertcart.in: Books Review: Had a lot of expectation but not fulfilled - Overpriced , actual price given at the back. I feel cheated. Review: I originally purchased this book in 1972 so that I could have the title on my bookshelf as a little joke. Shortly thereafter I quit smoking and, substituting one habit for another, began to read voraciously. Cavendish was devoured in the ensuing feeding frenzy, poor fellow, and (Hey Presto!) the volume was considerably tastier than I had exepcted. _The Black Arts_ is light enough to entertain, and scholarly enough to satisfy. Consider it a survey course in the occult, with particular (but not exclusive) emphasis on the 19th Cenury social aspects. It provides insights into the likes of Yeates, Doyle and Eliot as well. Cavendish does not promote any of the traditions, but he does report them and he relates them to one another. I emerged from the book edified if not enchanted. Thereafter I pursued the casual hobby of collecting and reading Victorian and Edwardian occult classics - many of which were available in the same kind of bookstore where I found Cavendish. While not believeing any of the nonsense described, I was nevertheless (ahem!) charmed by those who did believe, and enjoyed their mad ravings. Alas, some decades later, a business associate recommended _Foucalt's Pendulum_ by Umberto Eco. Cavendish proved as much a prerequisite for Eco as Eco proved an antidote for Cavendish. The whole thing seems so decadent now, but then it was so enjoyable for so long. Ahh well... (Yawwwwwwwn!) I recommend this book. Just don't take it seriously. OK?
| Best Sellers Rank | #317,421 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1,084 in Mysticism (Books) #1,674 in Occult & Paranormal #24,126 in Society & Social Sciences |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,122) |
| Dimensions | 15.11 x 2.41 x 22.86 cm |
| ISBN-10 | 0399500359 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0399500350 |
| Importer | Penguin Random House India Pvt Ltd |
| Item Weight | 352 g |
| Language | English |
| Packer | Penguin Random House India Pvt Ltd |
| Paperback | 368 pages |
| Publisher | Penguin USA; 40th Revised ed. edition (17 January 1968) |
S**N
Had a lot of expectation but not fulfilled
Overpriced , actual price given at the back. I feel cheated.
L**O
I originally purchased this book in 1972 so that I could have the title on my bookshelf as a little joke. Shortly thereafter I quit smoking and, substituting one habit for another, began to read voraciously. Cavendish was devoured in the ensuing feeding frenzy, poor fellow, and (Hey Presto!) the volume was considerably tastier than I had exepcted. _The Black Arts_ is light enough to entertain, and scholarly enough to satisfy. Consider it a survey course in the occult, with particular (but not exclusive) emphasis on the 19th Cenury social aspects. It provides insights into the likes of Yeates, Doyle and Eliot as well. Cavendish does not promote any of the traditions, but he does report them and he relates them to one another. I emerged from the book edified if not enchanted. Thereafter I pursued the casual hobby of collecting and reading Victorian and Edwardian occult classics - many of which were available in the same kind of bookstore where I found Cavendish. While not believeing any of the nonsense described, I was nevertheless (ahem!) charmed by those who did believe, and enjoyed their mad ravings. Alas, some decades later, a business associate recommended _Foucalt's Pendulum_ by Umberto Eco. Cavendish proved as much a prerequisite for Eco as Eco proved an antidote for Cavendish. The whole thing seems so decadent now, but then it was so enjoyable for so long. Ahh well... (Yawwwwwwwn!) I recommend this book. Just don't take it seriously. OK?
M**N
Teleurgesteld dat het boek beschadigd is aangekomen
J**S
Bom livro para quem quer começar no assunto. Design lindo.
N**C
I bought this for research, but was surprised to find it's a very engrossing read. If you're looking for a book that will provide understanding of witchcraft through the ages, the whys and hows, then I would recommend this book. I don't know how practical it would be for someone who wanted to try to DO the things in the book, but for research and educational purposes, it's very well done. It does show a very particular view of witchcraft which doesn't mesh with some of the wicca practitioners I've known personally, but as with any belief system, there can be variations from one group of adherents to another. Well written. The best reference I've found on the subject so far.
J**N
Envío - embalaje- arribo- muy bien y antes de tiempo Calidad del libro - muy buena Contenido - muy completo
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