The Malleus Maleficarum of Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger (Dover Occult)

By Montague Summers, Heinrich Kramer, James Sprenger, et al.

Book Overview

For nearly three centuries Malleus Maleficarum (The Witches' Hammer) was the professional manual for witch hunters. This work by two of the most famous Inquisitors of the age is still a document of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486228029
• ISBN13: 9780486228020
• Release Date: June 1971
• Publisher: Dover
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 0.8" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Inquisitorial Manual

The Malleus Maleficarum is simply a magnificent piece of work. There are different ed. of the malleus maleficarum but this book is the original version written by Kramer and Sprenger, the two master inquisitors of that time. The book itself is written in a old and difficult languade, so it takes a lot of time reading, but it's worth it. If you wish to have a look into the Inquisition, their methods and the truth behind it all, this book will surely take you far.

to the reviewer of "Their Mother's Sons and Daughters"

I find this book a difficult one to actually evaluate, but decided to give it five stars on the basis that it is a historical text that accurately documents the beliefs of the Catholic Church during the witch hunt era. (It is important to note, however, that not all Catholics at this time subcribed to these beliefs). This book is very significant in explaining the origin of witch hunts and persecutions of witches throughout history. The text was written originally by two Catholic priests, in which they fabricated evil practices of witches and ways to identify them and eradicate them. On the contrary, in the Pre-Christian era a witch was originally the doctor, spiritual healer, counselor-"everything woman" of her village. She was highly respected as the village's "wise woman," which is the original meaning of the word "witch." When the Catholic Church developed and began to gain more power, its higher members recognized the political power of these women and feared their pagan influence, and so the Malleus Maleficarum was born. Most of the accusations it makes are highly off base and ridiculous. I myself, do not practice Wicca, but am a born-again Christian. Therefore, I was very offended and upset by the comments made in the review entitled "Their Mother's Sons and Daughters," if this was even a sincere review. The reason neo-paganists are so offended by this book is not because it rings true to their beliefs, but because it was used for centuries as the justification for the death and torture of thousands of their predecessors and other innocents. Those who practice Wicca, in particular, do not even believe that Satan exists, therefore would never worship him or use him as a channel for evil purposes. Their religion, although I do not accept it as truth, is fundamentally peace-loving just as Christianity is. The comments that were made in this particular review I speak of and similar prejudices are ignorant, narrow-minded, and no doubt, are part of the reason for the widespread misunderstanding of Christianity in our modern society.