Behind the Crystal Ball: Magic, Science, and the Occult From Antiquity...

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The book examines different ways that man through history has been attracted to "magic," seemingly defined as "that which does not bear up under the Western scientific method."

The individual chapters on types of "magic" in history, such as alchemy and mesmerism, are interesting, although episodic. They sometimes suffer from an overabundance of fine detail and too much direct quotation of primary and secondary sources, in what is essentially a chapter review of certain practices.

The author shines best in his chapters labeled "summaries," and in the final four chapters and epilogue where he attempts to bring it all together. He suggests that no one theory or world view explains all observations, and that perhaps multiple realities exist simultaneously.

This book is part of a large collection from the estate of an avid collector.  This book has been carefully stored.