Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Giant Book of Magic (Cassandra Eason)

The Giant Book of Magic
Cassandra Eason
Magpie Books
Nonfiction, Magic
*** (Okay)

DESCRIPTION: In ancient times, the world was full of magic. From the stars in the sky to the flowers in the field, from the gods of Greece to those of the remote isles of the South Pacific, countless systems of magic, manifesting, and divination were derived and performed by people around the world. These helped everyone from housewives and children to priests and kings to manage their lives and clarify their thoughts. In today's hectic world, where modern science promises answers but only hands us more trouble and doubt, these ancient methods can still be useful. The author compiles notes on all manners of magic and offers tips on using it in practical, everyday terms.

REVIEW: I found this for less than four bucks at Half Price Books, and bought it as a reference for my fantasy writing efforts. The table of contents promised information on everything from culture-specific magic (Mayan, Celtic, Maori, etc.) to elemental magic (sea, fire, sky), seasonal magic (Christmas, Hallowe'en) and more. Unfortunately, by trying to cover so many, many different topics, Eason must summarize to the point of confusion and even contradiction. Some few bits of interesting information here and there are lost in the general rush. She also fails to provide a bibliography for further reading (or confirmation of her often-too-brief overviews.) Most of her magic rituals aren't magic per se, but rather diviniation methods, ways to help a person rethink their problems and look for other solutions, and several of them don't seem nearly as practical for modern life as she implies. In the end, this book didn't provide nearly enough of what I bought it for: inspiration or information. If I'd paid much more for it, I'd have been upset enough to lower the rating to Bad, but it's hard to get too upset at a four dollar purchase.

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