Lives of the Necromancers

"Lives of the Necromancers" by William Godwin is a historical exploration into the lives and assertions of people who practiced or were labeled as having magical abilities across different eras. It looks into necromancy, witchcraft, and sorcery, showing how humanity has been both fascinated and trusting of supernatural events for a long time. The book begins by laying down philosophical ideas about human ambition and the wish to go beyond reality into mysterious realms. Godwin explains how, throughout history, humans have turned to divination and mystical practices to try to understand or control what will happen. He talks about the link between imagination and the supernatural, suggesting that our ancestors often had fears and superstitions about witchcraft that caused serious issues, like witch trials. This sets the scene for an examination into the lives of well-known necromancers and the effects of beliefs in the supernatural across human history.