Investigating Witches and Witchcraft

The Wicked Witch of the West's cackling threat, "I'll get you, my pretty. . ." from the Wizard of Oz might be as memorable and instantly recognizable as a witch's iconic pointy-hatted crone image. This volume delves into the stereotypical image of witches and their newts, caldrons, and headwear and investigates their historical origins. Historical fact and imaginative fiction are carefully sorted through, with reference to literature, films, and other forms of pop culture. Modern-day news stories and events remind readers that witches and witchcraft are by no means a thing of the past, though they are ripe for reappraisal.