This book investigates the historical reality and contemporary practices of witchcraft to distinguish between folklore and actual occult traditions. Hans Holzer, a noted investigator of paranormal phenomena, utilizes his background in parapsychology and history to examine the origins of witchcraft. He presents a framework that separates historical persecution from the lived experiences of practitioners, aiming to demystify the subject through a lens of objective inquiry.

Readers frequently note the accessible, journalistic tone Holzer employs when discussing complex occult topics. Experts often categorize this as a foundational entry point for those interested in the mid-20th-century revival of interest in witchcraft and paranormal studies.