"The Nature of Magic 'reflects increased confidence, maturation of thought, and the ongoing development of sophisticated and nuanced theoretical frameworks that enable [Greenwood] to successfully tackle the challenge of writing academically about magic without simply dismissing, ridiculing, or explaining it away as so many other scholars have done" The Pomegranate review by Nikki Bado-Frelick, Iowa State University 'This is a timely and original contribution to our understanding of magical thought in post-modern Western civilization. Greenwood's in-depth study of her subject, combined with thorough field research, has enabled her to perceive connections not previously made, and to construct a comprehensive and ambitious theory of magic.' Roy Willis, Emeritus Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh. 'Most work on contemporary Western shamans and magicians is either uncomprehending dismissal or uncritical celebration. In this work, Greenwood shows again that she is one of the very few authors who can take us further and provide real insight.' Geoffrey Samuel, Professorial Fellow in the School of Religious and Theological Studies, Cardiff University.