This volume presents, for the first time, a critical edition of the works of the early modern English physician John Cotta. No mere country doctor, Cotta spoke out eloquently and courageously against what he saw as abuses in medicine and injustices in the prosecution of witchcraft. Read by important thinkers such as Robert Burton in England, and by colonial administrators in New England, Cotta helped shape two of the most important debates of his time. Included are the full texts of Cotta’s Short Discovery and The Trial of Witchcraft, both books painstakingly edited and annotated. Also included is a detailed introduction dealing with Cotta’s medical and religious contexts, his extensive learning and much more.

This volume presents a fresh new edition of the most important play by one of Shakespeare’s most creative contemporaries. Francis Beaumont’s The Knight of the Burning Pestle is a free-wheeling, satirical romp through the world of early modern theatre. Hilarious, outrageous, and unpredictable, Beaumont’s comedy confounded its first audiences, but has since been recognized as a rare comedic gem from the golden age of English playmaking.

In comparative tastings, wines from California's Central Coast rival those from such renowned regions as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Napa, yet they also offer superb value. This is the first comprehensive guide to one of the world's most dynamic and beautiful wine regions-and the setting for the award-winning movie Sideways. An excellent, one-stop resource for touring and tasting at convenient wineries located from Monterey to Santa Barbara, the guide is organized into county-by-county alphabetical listings for this up-and-coming region. Wines and Wineries of California's Central Coast includes: * Profiles of nearly 300 wineries personally visited by the author * Profiles of individual vintners * 5 maps * Winery ratings, plus author and winemaker recommendations * Visitors' and contact information for each winery * Discussions of regional wine history and terroir * Descriptions of designated American Viticultural Areas and grape varietals

Reprint of the original, first published in 1868.

The Great Book of Witchcraft' stands as a monumental anthology, assembling the works of notable authors whose tales, essays, and analyses span a broad spectrum of styles and perspectives on witchcraft. From the historical to the supernatural, this collection transcends simple narrative to explore the complex tapestry of myth, legend, and fact surrounding one of history's most intriguing subjects. The anthology features a diverse array of pieces, including highly regarded essays and groundbreaking studies, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the cultural, social, and literary significance of witchcraft through the ages. The variety within this collection demonstrates the multifaceted ways in which witchcraft has been interpreted and understood, cementing its place as a subject of endless curiosity and scholarly interest. The authors contributing to this anthology, such as Bram Stoker and Margaret Murray, bring with them a wealth of knowledge and differing perspectives that enrich the collection's exploration of witchcraft. Their backgroundsranging from novelists to historians to anthropologistsensure that the anthology is not merely a collection of stories, but a scholarly exploration that aligns with various historical, cultural, and literary movements. This unique blend of voices and insights offers a nuanced understanding of the theme, highlighting the evolving perceptions of witchcraft and its impact on society throughout history. 'The Great Book of Witchcraft' is an essential read for anyone interested in the diverse interpretations and cultural significance of witchcraft. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with the thoughts and works of some of the fields most influential figures, all within a single volume. This anthology not only serves as an educational tool for scholars and enthusiasts alike but also welcomes readers into a rich dialogue between differing viewpoints, encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of a subject that has fascinated humanity for centuries. For its breadth of insights and contribution to the discourse on witchcraft, this collection is a must-have for both academic and personal libraries.

The so-called "Devil Theatre" is here set against its context of non-dramatic texts on possession and exorcism, providing many new insights. Representations of demonic possession and exorcism rituals abound in English Renaissance drama, an area which this book seeks to illuminate by comparison with non-dramatic works. The author investigates stage images of possessionin relation to a range of early modern demonological, theological and medical prose texts on the subject, looking specifically at how the theatre responded to these texts. He argues that the stage appropriated debates over demonicpossession to explore the competing roles of the inner life and the body in early modern definitions of selfhood. The theatre also employed the contemporary controversy over possession and exorcism to investigate the politics ofreligion, and to consider the nature of monarchic power. Moreover, because demonic possession cases and exorcism rituals were frequently dismissed by conformist writers as a piece of theatre, they offered an opportunity to reflecton the nature of drama and role-playing. JAN FRANS VAN DIJKHUIZEN is lecturer and research fellow at the University of Leiden.