If you decide to read just one book about esotericism, this should be the one. Hanegraaff is the leading world specialist in all things esoteric.

Massimo Introvigne, Center for Studies on New Religions, Italy

Esotericism in Western Culture is an outstanding guide for anyone venturing into the multifaceted world of esotericism. With its well-organized structure and clear, accessible writing, this book offers both students and scholars a comprehensive introduction to the field.

Henrik Bogdan, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Esotericism in Western Culture is a repository of treasures. Around the encyclopedic history of esotericism that is central to the book lie fascinating discussions of related issues, exoteric as well as esoteric. Both a journey of exploration and a reference work, this book is clearly written and extremely readable.

Mark Sedgwick, Aarhus University, Denmark

Hanegraaff is our most reliable and erudite guide into esoteric thought and rejected knowledge, here made even more pressing through the concept of counter-normativity. Taken as a whole, this book is a telling answer to Rainer Maria Rilke's pained and poetic question at the very beginning, “Is it possible that nothing true and important has been seen, recognized and said?”.

Jeffrey J. Kripal, Rice University, USA