The Book of English Magic [Hardcover]

'A user-friendly primer...a magical mystery tour, for readers who want to get a little deeper into magic, there are well informed suggestions' (The Times)

'Witchcraft and magic have never been more popular, and England is its global epicentre...a fabulous array. Fun, best of all is the end' (The Daily Express)

'A new book celebrates the growing witchcraft, spells, potions and the spirit world' (The Daily Express)

'Darkly glittery package for this survey of mysterious England, the country with the richest history of magical lore and practice in the world' (Bookseller)

'Should be a wizard read' (Birmingham Post)

'A giddying tour of a hidden history and an occult present' (Books Quarterly)

'A positive cornucopia of magic that's sure to cast a spell over you!' (Lancashire Evening Post)

'An astonishing and entertaining book' (Northern Echo)

'Well-read, tolerant, perceptive and reader-friendly' (John Billingsley, Northern Earth)

' Large, cheerful, handsome book...the tone is unflaggingly open-minded ' (Times Literary Supplement)

'Bright and Encouraging' (The Magic Circular)

'A treasure trove of magical lore' (The Observer)

'The authors of this fascinating book aim to introduce readers to the secret history of English occult arts' (Books Quarterly)

'Whatever you may think, it seems that there are more wizards practising than ever before. We meet some of them in this surprising book. And the authors suggest visiting the sites, such as Stonehenge and Mother Shipton's Yorkshire cave, which retain magical properties. Meanwhile it's a help to mug up a bit of astrology (and Druid lore) if you really want to be au fait'- (Sunday Telegraph)

'A fascinating guide to the evolution of English magic. From magic wands to ley lines, each chapter introduces a different aspect of all things enchanting. Complete with interviews with magicians and suggestions for spells' (Daily Express)

There are many rational reasons not to go beyond the first chapter. But if you don't you will never know how English witches- using a fridge, a doll, some string and (doubtless) a lot of nudity- tried to stop Saddam Hussein massacring the Kurds. You will not read an interview with a modern-day Welsh alchemist, or learn about an Elizabethan forebear who convinced his wife that, for the sake of his magic, she needed to become a swinger. Most of all you will miss out on the step-by-step guides: to dowsing, to creating your own philosopher's stone and to casting your own love spell ("think carefully about unintended consequences")'- (The Times)

I cannot praise this book enough both for its content and its style... it is excellent value. Highly recommended and enjoyable - a book I shall keep close by my desk for reference (GoodReads.com) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Philip Carr-Gomm is a writer and psychologist. He is trained in psychotherapy for adults and in play therapy for children and has also trained in Montessori education.


Sir Richard Heygate runs a successful software company and has a special interest in alternative worlds. He is co-author of Endangered Species, which was published by John Murray in 2007.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.