In the late medieval and early modern eras a belief in certain parts of magic was part of everyday life. Love potions, finding lost objects, a change of luck? Then people would see their local 'wise woman' or 'wizard'. However sometimes the desire for help veers over into black magic, danger or debt and crosses the line into illegal activities. Here Stanmore recounts how 'practical magic' was part of the everyday for people in all levels of society. The level of research is fabulous and the writing is very engaging. ( )