Jake Richards

It's presented as a "how to" book, but I would NOT recommend a lot of things the author presents (e.g. wearing urine-soaked clothing, putting various objects in your mouth, or giving a love interest alcohol in which your toenails have been soaking).

Some of the history, especially regarding indigenous people, is spoken of in the past tense as if they don't still exist and presented in generalizations if not seriously questionable "facts."

That said, the bulk of the book about the author's brand of witchcraft is very detailed and informative, from a curiosity perspective if not a practical one.… (mehr)

The narrator's resonant voice carries the author's words perfectly. As in a good talk with an old friend, I was drawn in and spellbound by the personal stories and revelations of Appalachian folk magic. This book is an illuminating introduction to an American magical tradition and a good read (or listen!) Many of the stories seemed to ring a bell of memory with me and I realized it was because I read the fiction of Manly Wade Wellman long ago when I was in high school. Check out his Silver John books if you want to hear more stories based on Appalachian folk tales.… (mehr)