Magic: History, Theory and Practice
Encyclopedia
Originally published in Germany in 1923 by Dr. Ernst Schertel, Magic: History / Theory / Practice, in its original German edition, was a hardcover book consisting of 154 pages.
Schertel identifies heavily with the "demonic" in Magic, espousing the belief that "communion with the demon" is the most important aspect of magical/religious practice.
In 2003 it was revealed that Schertel had sent a dedicated copy of the book to Adolf Hitler
. Hitler read the book and marked several passages. A total of sixty-six annotations were made by Hitler in his copy. Eventually the Hitler copy was obtained from the John Hay Library
at Brown University
and the book was translated into English with his annotations added.
Some of the passages marked by Hitler include:
Schertel identifies heavily with the "demonic" in Magic, espousing the belief that "communion with the demon" is the most important aspect of magical/religious practice.
In 2003 it was revealed that Schertel had sent a dedicated copy of the book to Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
. Hitler read the book and marked several passages. A total of sixty-six annotations were made by Hitler in his copy. Eventually the Hitler copy was obtained from the John Hay Library
John Hay Library
The John Hay Library is the second oldest library on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Located on Prospect Street, opposite the Van Wickle Gates, it replaced the outgrown former library, now Robinson Hall, as the main library on the campus...
at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
and the book was translated into English with his annotations added.
Some of the passages marked by Hitler include:
- “False images are necessary for the recognition of truth.”
- “He who does not have the demonic seed within himself will never give birth to a magical world.”
- “Satan is the beginning…”
Further reading
- Magic: History / Theory / Practice. Boise, Idaho: COTUM (Catalog of the Universal Mind), 2009. ISBN 978-0578024578. New translation.
External links
- Magie: Geschichte, Theorie, Praxis—OCLC listing
- Magie: Geschichte, Theorie, Praxis at Google Books