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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Encyclopedic Diversity, 19 Jan 2003
The encyclopedic format for collecting information on Paganism has become popular as of late by authors in the genre and each one has a different flavor and reflects another segment of the Pagan population.This encyclopedia focuses on Modern Witchcraft and Neo- Paganism and presents the information in "essay" format by some well known contributors. When you read the names John Belham-Payne, Chas Clifton, Judy Harrow, Starhawk and M. Macha Nightmare, to mention a few, you expect a diverse and well rounded source of information. And that is exactly what Ms. Rabinovitch and Mr. Lewis has given us. History, both ancient and modern, is presented along with well known persons within the community and various groups and associations from both England and America. Tools, holidays, traditions, and other topics about paganism and witchcraft are well researched, professionally presented and a pleasure to read. My only regret was that this book is not indexed. While there is a wonderfully detailed bibliography and contributors list, there is no way to pick just one topic and look it up other than by leafing through the book. Maybe in reprint they will index this book and make it a better tool for reference. Illustrations are kept to a minimum, so the value in this book is the commentaries and the knowledge base of the writers and contributors. The diversity of viewpoints from well known movers and shakers within our community makes this book interesting and a basis for many good conversations. Well written, clean presentation and professional in its content while being a delight to read make this a keeper on your library shelf.
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