Wizards: An Amazing Journey Through the Last Great Age of Magic

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

Candace Savage has combed history for the writings and images that
supply the historical background to the wizard world, particularly the
elements popularized by the Harry Potter series, such as the dark arts,
magical creatures, Nicholas Flammell, and the Sorcerer’s stone.

While Harry Potter is mentioned, the book actually centres on Sir Issac
Newton, who, in addition to being a great scientist, was also an
alchemist and very much involved in sorcery. The text traces his
development from age 12, when he went to live with an apothecary’s
family, through to where he abandons alchemy 24 years later. Each of the
broad subjects, such as the dark arts, is introduced in terms of how
Newton would have encountered it and understood it. The text also
provides the context of the popular culture of the time.

The book’s design is very attractive. On the left side of most
double-page spreads is a full-page color reproduction of a magic-related
work of art, and on the opposite side are smaller images of demons,
spiders, witches, and other such creatures that occupy a wizard’s
world. The works of art Savage selected are remarkable, ranging in date
from the 16th century to the 20th. Unfortunately, we are not given the
artists’ names in most cases.

The book will especially appeal to the preteen market, but others who
are interested in the historical origins of wizard lore will also find
it enjoyable. Wizards, a nominee for the 2003 Norma Fleck Award for
Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction, is well-researched, well-written, and
beautifully presented. It is also entertaining, very readable, and
highly recommended.