A fascinating look at the parallels between evolving human history and a belief in the supernatural, from the rituals of ancient religions to modern-day magic and occultism.

For most of us, wizards, witches, and spells are a childhood fantasy. But belief in magic is as old as humanity itself.

For this global study into magical beliefs and practices, reference publisher DK has rounded up a team of experts, including UCL history professor Sophie Page, who has written and edited several books about magic, as well as bestselling author and poet John Farndon.

With a foreword by historian and television presenter Suzannah Lipscomb, A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult takes us from the very first civilizations of Mesopotamia to medieval wand carriers and modern Wiccans.

Using descriptions and photographs of historical artworks and artifacts as well as key secondary source material, this comprehensive work separates fact from fiction and fantasy to understand the enduring human interest in the esoteric.