This textbook offers an interpretive overview of the history of the Latin American region since the mid-eighteenth century. Its central focus is the struggle of ordinary folks to control their daily lives. It examines the social, economic, and political institutions Latin Americans built and rebuilt, such as families, governments (from village to national levels), churches, political parties, labor unions, schools, and armies, through the lives of the people forged them. It explores the te...

The relationship between business and politics is crucial to understanding Mexican history, and Pesos and Politics explores this relationship from the mid-nineteenth century dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz through the Mexican Revolution (1876–1940). Historian Mark Wasserman argues that throughout this era, over the course of successive regimes, there was an evolving enterprise system that had to balance the interests of the Mexican national elite, state and local governments, large ...

Did the Mexican Revolution do away with the ruling class of the old regime? Did a new ruling class rise to take the old one's place—and if so, what differences resulted? In this compelling study, the first of its kind, Mark Wasserman pursues these questions through an analysis of the history and politics of the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua from 1910 to 1940.Chihuahua boasted one of the strongest pre-revolutionary elite networks, the Terrazas-Creel family. Wasserman describes ...

Sketching out a fascinating network of historic figures, cults, and Christendom, this book by an occult-studies expert and respected authority on magic and sorcery takes Western spiritual traditions seriously—but examines them with common sense and self-effacing humor. Working backward from the Freemasons to one of their original orders, the 14th-century Knights Templar, the account considers sorcery, heresy, and intrigues; explores the legend that the Knights possessed a powerful secret d...

The Waking Dark is “a horror story worthy of Stephen King” (Booklist) and “a book you won’t soon forget” (Cassandra Clare, author of the Mortal Instruments series)—perfect for readers of Gillian Flynn and Rick Yancey.They called it the killing day. Twelve people murdered, in the space of a few hours, their killers also all dead by their own hand . . . except one. And that one has no answers to offer the shattered town.Something is waking i...

The 'Lesser Key of Solomon', an assemblage of texts pivotal to the western esoteric tradition, delves deep into the realms of ceremonial magic and demonology. This anthology, featuring contributions from luminaries such as Aleister Crowley and S.L. MacGregor Mathers, spans a fascinating array of philosophical and theurgical thought, woven through with the complex tapestry of Hermetic and Kabbalistic wisdom. The collection is seminal, reflecting the rigorous intellectual and spiritual disci...

The ultimate source text of Enochian Magic never before available in book form• Contains the actual and complete Tables of Enoch given to Dr. John Dee by the Angels• Explains the difference between Dee’s Tables of Enoch and the apocryphal Book of Enoch• Includes directions for powerful magic rituals and meditations using these tables• Presents a reconstruction of the possible 49th missing Table of EnochOriginally considered a vital part of inspiratio...

The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage by S. L. MacGregor Mathers is one of the most renowned and influential grimoires in Western esoteric tradition. Based on a 15th-century manuscript, this work details a complex system of spiritual transformation and divine communication, attributed to the mysterious figure of Abramelin the Mage. The book describes a sacred ritual designed to establish contact with one’s Holy Guardian Angel—a process requiring intense dedication, purificatio...

The Key of Solomon the King by S. L. MacGregor Mathers is one of the most influential and well-preserved grimoires in Western occult tradition. Based on ancient manuscripts attributed to King Solomon, this book provides a comprehensive guide to ceremonial magic, including powerful rituals, invocations, and the construction of magical tools and talismans. Mathers' translation presents detailed instructions on summoning spiritual entities, invoking angelic and planetary influences, and harne...

Practical Sigil Magic, by Frater U∴ D∴, Europe's best-known ceremonial magician and contemporary occult author, is widely regarded as the definitive guide to the topic. Unavailable for a number of years and long sought-after by ceremonial magicians, mages, and hermetic practitioners, this classic work is now available once again.Sigil magic is one of the most efficient and economical of magical disciplines. It can be performed without complicated rituals or paraphernalia, ...

Francis Barrett (born probably in London circa 1770-1780) was an English occultist. Barrett claimed himself to be a student of chemistry, metaphysics, and natural occult philosophy. He was known to be an extreme eccentric who gave lessons in the magical arts in his apartment and fastidiously translated Kabbalistic and other ancient texts into English. He was very enthusiastic about reviving interest in the occult arts, and published a magical textbook called The Magus. Few people, even tod...

The Key of Solomon (Latin Clavis Salomonis or Clavicula Salomonis, Hebrew Mafteah Shelomoh (מפתח שלמה)), is a grimoire, a book on magic incorrectly attributed to King Solomon. It probably dates back to the 14th or 15th century Italian Renaissance. It presents a typical example of Renaissance magic.It is possible that the Key of Solomon inspired later works, particularly the 17th century grimoire also known as Clavicula Salomonis or The Lesser Key of Solomon, although there are many differe...