The Dark World of Witches — Eric Maple

Title: The Dark World of Witches
Author: Eric Maple
Publisher: A.S. Barnes & Co., Inc. (Castle Books edition)
ISBN: 0-498-06066-7
Binding: Hardcover (no dust jacket)

Edition: c. 1960s US reprint (original work 1962/1964)

Condition: Fair to good vintage condition. Noticeable wear to boards and spine, including splitting/fraying along the spine edge. No dust jacket. Internally clean and readable. Structurally intact but worn.

A classic folkloric study of witchcraft from British author and researcher Eric Maple, known for his work documenting rural beliefs, superstition, and cunning folk traditions. Rather than focusing purely on ceremonial magic, this book explores the lived reality of witchcraft in villages and communities.

Covers topics such as witch trials, folk magic, charms, curses, and the role of the “cunning man” or “wise woman” in local society. Maple draws heavily on interviews, case studies, and historical sources, giving the book a grounded, anthropological feel.