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Post by dem bones on Aug 27, 2010 18:36:15 GMT
Peter Haining - Witchcraft And Black Magic (Hamlyn, 1971, 1973, 1979) About the author Peter Haining has been writing about witchcraft and Black Magic for ten years now. It all began when he was working in Essex as a journalist and was asked to cover an outbreak of church desecration in the county. He met self-confessed witches and witnessed many ceremonies in the course of writing that article and, as a result of what he had seen, he became very dissatisfied with the mixture of half-truth, rumour and sensationalism surrounding the subject. Since then, in his many broadcasts and newspaper articles and now in this he has argued for a more practical realistic attitude to witchcraft.Mr. Haining having done more than his fair share of contributing to the "half-truth, rumour and sensationalism surrounding the subject" in his masterly collaboration with A. V. Sellwood, Devil Worship In Britain (Corgi, 1963) - still my favourite: it's like one long News Of The World "Sin, Sex & Satan exposé! - perhaps it was only fitting that he should attempt something a little more ... balanced. i'm sure those who study the occult with a degree of seriousness would argue the Hamlyn book still errs toward sensationalism, but to these eyes it seems a rather more sedate affair, essentially a concise and very readable history of Black & White Sorcery's greatest hits, and, thanks to Jan Parker's contribution, absolutely gorgeous to look at. Jan's artwork was celebrated in the short article Eyes Wide Shut in Paperback Fanatic #4 (nine designs from Witchcraft & Black Magic are reproduced on the back page) and this, for me, sees him at his very best. If anyone wants to mutate this thread into a celebration of his work please feel free!  The 1979 reprint
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Post by dem bones on Mar 5, 2016 7:26:55 GMT
From Witchcraft & Black Magic Jan ParkerPicked this up for 25p at market, purely on strength of Arter's cover art, but blurb suggests at least two of the stories hold appeal .... Any among our sci-fi contingent care to enlighten me? The Worlds Of Frank Herbert (NEL, May 1975. Originally NEL Dec. 1970) Tactful Saboteur
Committee Of The Whole
Old Rambling House
Mating Call
A-W-F- Unlimited
The Featherbedders
The G.M Effect
Escape FelicityBlurb: An infinity of universes each with its own strange stories. A future where they have space suits with chastity belts. A planet where they have a new thrill - but will it ever replace sex? A good government must work - but, what happens if it works too well? The phobias of today translated into the fears of tomorrow. An alien culture who didn't want to change Earth; they just wanted to use it.
Eight of the very best by the author of the mind-shattering best-seller Dune. If you care about what's happening or what might happen - these stories are for you.
A brilliant collection of stories by the Nebula and Hugo award winner. |
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