This is a very scholarly book put out by Pennsylvania Univ. Press, thus it is not an easy read. What's nice about this book is that its focus is not the usual regions of occult study: England, France, Italy, & Spain, but instead focuses on Poland, Bohemia, and Hungary. These regions were far more tolerant to occult studies through the centuries, and persecution for owning or practicing heretical material was less common.

Lang did some amazing research in an attempt to reconstruct the contents of 14th-17th century libraries. By discovering the titles and how widely dispersed they were, he was able to give a rough snapshot of was was being read and taught. The results indicate that alchemy and astrology were by far the most widely excepted and practiced among magic books. He also found that diabolical books, such as books on necromancy and demon evocation were far more rare. Though is does admit that the more diabolical grimoires were far more likely to be destroyed than their somewhat less heretical alchemical neighbors.

He also discusses how many of the Universities in said regions became hubs for practicing magicians; Universities such as Krakow, Budapest, and Prague. The book also contains scans of rare documents, such as the Liber Runarum and the Beliforis.

Over all it's a great book, if a wee bit dry at times. ( )