Best History Books About Witches (2026): 5 Compared

Witchcraft has a long and dark history, and the best history books about witches separate fact from legend. We compared five histories by author, page count, publisher and publication date, using only what each listing publishes. Every pick names who it suits and who should skip it.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Witch by Hutton	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	A History of Witchcraft	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Black Arts	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Penguin Book of Witches	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Witches, Midwives, and Nurses	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon

1

The Witch by Hutton

Ronald Hutton·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A history of fear of witchcraft from ancient times to the present, across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, suited to a reader who wants the widest view.

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Pros

• 376 pages from Yale University Press
• Illustrated edition
• Published October 2, 2018

Cons

• Academic tone, per the description
• No reading age stated
• Broad scope means less depth per region

2

A History of Witchcraft

Jeffrey B. Russell·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A concise history of witchcraft from the ancient world to the present, in its third edition, suited to a reader who wants an authoritative overview.

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Pros

• Third edition, updated
• 240 pages from Thames & Hudson
• Published June 18, 2024

Cons

• Concise at 240 pages
• No reading age stated
• Modern witchcraft covered briefly

3

The Black Arts

Richard Cavendish·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A concise history of witchcraft, demonology, astrology and alchemy in a 50th anniversary edition, suited to a reader who wants the occult context.

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Pros

• 50th anniversary edition
• 373 pages from Tarcher
• Covers occult beyond witchcraft

Cons

• 1968 original, dated in parts
• No reading age stated
• Occult focus, not trials focus

4

The Penguin Book of Witches

Katherine Howe·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Real-life historical accounts of accused witches from medieval Europe to colonial America, suited to a reader who wants primary sources.

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Pros

• 320 pages from Penguin Classics
• Real historical accounts
• Published September 30, 2014

Cons

• Compiled accounts, not a narrative
• No reading age stated
• English and North American focus

5

Witches, Midwives, and Nurses

Barbara Ehrenreich·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A history of women healers and the witch hunters, in a 2nd edition, suited to a reader who wants the feminist perspective.

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Pros

• 2nd edition from the Feminist Press
• Women healers focus
• Published July 1, 2010

Cons

• Short at 112 pages
• No reading age stated
• Political angle, per the description

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More picks to compare

• Witchcraze by Barstow272 pages, European witch hunts, HarperOneCheck on Amazon
• National Geographic Witchcraft99 pages, National Geographic, 2024Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the five states a reading age or level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best history books about witches

Global history or focused accounts

The Witch by Hutton traces witchcraft from the ancient world to the present across continents, while A History of Witchcraft by Russell gives a concise authoritative overview. The Penguin Book of Witches compiles real historical accounts from medieval Europe to colonial America. Choose the global view for breadth, the accounts for primary sources. For younger readers, see our best history books for young readers.

Occult context or feminist perspective

The Black Arts covers witchcraft alongside demonology, astrology and alchemy in a 50th anniversary edition. Witches, Midwives, and Nurses examines women healers and the witch hunters from a feminist perspective. For teen readers, see our best young adult books about witches.

Before you buy

• Check the edition: anniversary, illustrated, 2nd and 3rd editions are listed here.
• Check the page count: from 112 to 376 pages.
• Match the angle: global, concise, occult, accounts or feminist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most comprehensive?

The Witch by Ronald Hutton, 376 pages from Yale University Press, covering ancient times to the present.

Which is the most concise?

A History of Witchcraft by Jeffrey B. Russell, 240 pages in its third edition.

Which has real historical accounts?

The Penguin Book of Witches, with accounts from medieval Europe to colonial America.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Witch by Hutton

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Related lists

See every history and biography list and all nonfiction lists. Also see our best history books for young readers.

More lists: history and biography, young adult books about witches, childrens books about witches.