Tracing magic’s fascinating history back to its earliest beginnings, Robert Ralley reveals its influence on religion, science, and society. From charms and curses to rites and spells, spanning the black magic of demons to David Blaine’s endurance tests, Ralley illustrates the changing perceptions of magic, and the dangerous balance between illusion, fraud, and devilry that persists today.
Robert Ralley is a Research Associate at the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge. Ralley lives in Ely, near Cambridge, England.