A groundbreaking book, the result of a collective effort by notable researchers, that sheds light on many aspects of the world's most esoteric tradition. A thorough and at the same time unique in its kind research that delves into the unknown history as well as the content of magic, which remains timelessly one of the most interesting, mysterious, and contradictory phenomena of human civilization. (...) A fascinating journey of exploration into the world's most "forbidden place." A panorama of ideas and opinions, enriched with rich and rare information. [Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]