The Complete Book of Spells, Curses and Magical Recipes
By Leonard R.N. Ashley
ISBN 1-56980-1 10-X. 1997, 375 pp, Illustrated. $14.95
This volume represents the latest in a long series of books by Mr. Ashley, and if you have enjoyed those, you will like this. Mr. Ashley is an easy author to read and utilizes a number of illustrations of historical accuracy to make his points. This is a good book to just choose at random a few interesting antidotes or articles to read on a long commute or before bed.
The main lacking quality is that the book has no direction and is void of course. The reader does not have a definite purpose or goal to be achieved by reading this book. But as light reading, the book is entertaining, informative and humorous. While the book does have an index, the index lacks depth to make it useful in research work.
This volume shows how people throughout history have tried various methods to invoke the supernatural for specific uses. The book has little religious significance to Pagan community, unlike some of professor Ashley's other works. The material is highly accurate, with adequate documentation. | 
