Book excerpt: Belief in magic has been around since early human civilization. Whether ancient black magic or medieval witchcraft, practices believed to call upon supernatural forces are part of nearly every culture. Even in secular societies, stage magic and children's series such as Harry Potter hold a respected place as a form of entertainment. In this title, the history of magic-both paranormal and performative-is explored in all its facets. Readers will be introduced to magical practices and the science that explains many of them away.