With his own magic touch, Chris Gosden brilliantly reveals the place of magic in human societies from the Ice Age to the present day in all inhabited continents, and shows how the exercise of magic was an everyday practice that joined the world of the dead to that of the living

Fascinating, original and excellent, written with both narrative flair and deep scholarship, this is a world history, from the steppes of Mongolia to the palaces of London and Paris from prehistory to today, told through the lens of magic, that has always existed alongside and within religion itself, a gripping ride of astonishing span, filled with colourful characters, shaman, witches and kings, esoteric rites and revelatory research. An important and essential read that also happens to be a highly entertaining historical treasure-trove

This is an extraordinary work of learning, written with an exhilarating lightness of touch. And it's flexible: you can read it from cover-to-cover, or just dip in - or both. Chris Gosden has traced the story of magical beliefs from the Old Stone Age to modern times, across all the continents of the world. But it isn't just a work of archaeology and history: it has increasing relevance for our own times, as we witness the growth of extreme cults and the seditious myths of the post-truth era. It is essential reading

The History of Magic is a major contribution to an important but neglected subject. It should be read not only by archaeologists and anthropologists but by everyone interested in the human condition

"To be human is to be connected." Chris Gosden shows how magic explores the connections between human beings and the universe in ways different from religion or science, yet deserving of respect. A magisterial account of the central place of magic in many cultures both ancient and modern

An impressive and much-needed book, Gosden masterfully presents the history of magic from a global perspective, enabling the reader to make fascinating connections between traditions in different places and eras

Breathtaking in scope... For many readers its pages will be full of fascinating discoveries

Comprehensive and remarkable . . . his book subverts essentially everything we are meant to believe

Bold, gripping and arrestingly readable ... a path-breaking study of a pervasive and strangely neglected phenomenon

Exceptional

An important book for our times. It is both wise and compassionate which will be helpful to many readers

I absolutely loved it. Clear, compassionate, occasionally very very funny but mostly heart wrenching

A profound exploration of resilience in modern life - a much-needed reminder that we yield power over our lives, even when it feels like we don't. It's one of the most valuable books I've ever read and my respect for Julia Samuel and her work is immeasurable

Little bells of clarity and understanding chime throughout this book. At once intimate and universal, this is a lifesaver. Fascinating, rigorous and beautifully written, you can hear Julia's voice on every page

Relevant, wise and compassionate

This brilliant book does what no others do - it talks about the problems of everyday life, with grown-up children, complex families, the stresses of work, in a compassionate and truly insightful way. I would challenge anyone not to recognise themselves in at least one of the beautifully detailed case studies. It is a privilege to be able to listen in to a masterful therapist at work

The considerable force of this book lies in Julia's ability to listen completely. Being such an extraordinary listener she becomes an extraordinary storyteller

Wisdom and experience alone would make This Too Shall Pass essential reading for every single person - but, in addition, the extraordinary generosity of Julia's personality shines through every word, offering profound understanding and consolation

Moving and inspiring, Julia Samuel writes with the quiet clarity that comes with true wisdom. In her observations of the heart-breaking and life-affirming events that affect the lives of ordinary people, she has the ability to find the eye of the storm and to hold her clients in stillness there as they come to terms with the chaos of change. Reading This Too Shall Pass is illuminating and comforting. We all resist change, and Julia Samuel shows us how to find the courage to weather it and sail out into the calm beyond. She is honest, open and inspiring in her comments, like the best friend we all aspire to be. A life raft of a book, hold onto it and you will stay afloat through life's inevitable mishaps

A remarkable portrayal of how we need to understand ourselves to truly heal

This book is wonderful

[She] is a sort of human oxytocin