First published in 1913, this classic text is an invaluable source book on the history and practice of magic and occultism.

Lévi's version of magic became a great success, especially after his death. That Spiritualism was popular on both sides of the Atlantic from the 1850s contributed to this success. His magical teachings were free from obvious fanaticism, even if they remained rather murky; he had nothing to sell, and did not pretend to be the initiate of some ancient or fictitious secret society. It was largely through the those inspired by him that Lévi is remembered as one of the key founders of the 20th century revival of magic.