Witchcraft

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Are witches evil? What is divination? These and other questions are answered in this alphabetically arranged volume with entries ranging in length from one paragraph to one page. Cases of persecutions in Europe, the British Isles, and America from the 13th through 17th centuries reveal the role greed and hysteria have played in attitudes toward witchcraft. Development of late-20th-century traditions and some activities of modern, self-proclaimed Wiccans and witches are described in a simple and straightforward manner. The black-and-white illustrations include reproductions and line drawings of historical trials, tortures, and executions and portraits of witch hunters and contemporary practitioners of the Craft. There are also short articles on gods and goddesses worshipped by Neopagans as well as witches, herbs, celebrations, and rituals. Every entry concludes with one or more see-also references. In this respect, the format resembles that of Raven Grimassi's Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft (Llewellyn, 2000). However, that volume concentrates more on contemporary practitioners and the articles are longer. Netzley adds substantial value with a highly detailed index and extensive list of works consulted. Oddly, her appended list of Internet sources has only two entries while nine Web sites are listed in the article on "Cyber Wicca."-Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.