The Hammer of Witches (Paperback)

An essential work for understanding a terrible and important part of human history and how much it affects us to this day.

A paperback edition of the classic book describing how witch hunts were carried out in the 13th century. Originally published in 1487 in Germany, The Hammer of Witches was compiled by inquisitors Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger and is one of the most important treatises ever written on witch hunts. Despite being condemned by the Catholic Church, the book remained in print and for three centuries served as the bible of inquisitors across much of Europe, contributing to the repression and death of more than 100,000 women. A valuable historical document that reveals the consequences of one of humanity's most terrible periods—the condemnations of the Holy Office—and the European landscape of the 15th century. The Hammer of Witches is divided into three parts: the first addresses the judges, teaching them to recognize witches in their many guises and attitudes. The second exposes all types of evil deeds, classifying and explaining them. The third rewrites the formalities for acting “legally” against witches, demonstrating how to question and condemn them.