LIMITED TIME OFFER | Get 3 months for $0.99 a month

$14.95/mo thereafter - terms apply.
A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult cover art

A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult

 Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends January 29, 2026 11:59pm PT.
Just $0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible.
1 audiobook per month of your choice from our unparalleled catalog.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult

Written by: DK
Narrated by: Susie Riddell
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends January 29, 2026 11:59pm PT.

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $20.40

Buy Now for $20.40

About this listen

 Discover the beguiling history of witchcraft, magic, and superstition through the centuries and across the world in this stunningly audiobook.

A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult charts the extraordinary narrative of one of the most interesting and often controversial subjects in the world - from ancient animal worship and shamanism, through alchemy and divination to modern Wicca and the resurgence of the occult in 21st-century literature, cinema, and television.

Providing listeners with a comprehensive, balanced, and unbiased account of everything from Japanese folklore and Indian witchcraft to the differences between black and white magic, and dispelling myths such as those surrounding the voodoo doll and Ouija, this audiobook explores the common human fear of, and fascination with spells, superstition, and the supernatural.

The perfect introduction to magic and the occult, it explores forms of divination from astrology and palmistry to the Tarot and runestones, mystical plants and potions such as mandrake, the presence of witchcraft in literature from Shakespeare's Macbeth to the Harry Potter series, and the ways in which magic has interacted with religion.

The most comprehensive history of witchcraft available, A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult will enthral and fascinate you with its lavish, accessible entries, whether you are a believer or sceptic.

© 2020 Dorling Kindersley Ltd © 2020 DK Audio Customs & Traditions Magic Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts Religious Studies Social Sciences Spirituality Parapsychology Tradition Witchcraft Divination Mythology Extrasensory Perception Magic Users Astrology Paranormal Shamanism Middle Ages Fantasy Ancient History Middle East Pagan Mythology

What the critics say

“This book provides a fascinating overview of the history of magic, with some emphasis on witchcraft and the occult, presented in an easily browsed, highly visual format.” —Booklist
All stars
Most Relevant
I will definitely listen to it again just for fun. History is a great way to build a foundation for one's spiritual practice. This audio book makes it fun to learn. Easily 5 stars.

Amazing!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I think this book would be better if I owned the original with it. Without it it’s a little hard to follow.

This also isn’t great if you’re some one who practices magic in the modern sense as this is an anthropological look at the history of magic.

I liked it didn’t love it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I felt the book was mixed with too much different information and should have been split into at least two books. Dive deeper into certain topics like anthropology for example. Also the history of magic from other cultures was not documented well. It lacked information.

It was all over the place

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.