Michael Ostling

Michael Ostling is a historian and religious studies scholar specializing in early modern European witchcraft, folk beliefs, and the cultural history of supernatural creatures. He serves as a Senior Lecturer at Arizona State University in the Religious Studies faculty. His most notable work is "Between the Devil and the Host: Imagining Witchcraft in Early Modern Poland" (Oxford University Press, 2011), which examines witch trials and folk beliefs in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The book provides insights into how witchcraft accusations reflected tensions between Catholic and Protestant communities. Ostling's research extends to comparative mythology and folklore studies, with particular attention to Slavic traditions and supernatural beings. His edited volume "Fairies, Demons, and Nature Spirits: 'Small Gods' at the Margins of Christendom" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018) explores how minor supernatural entities persisted in European folk beliefs despite Christian influence. His academic contributions have helped reshape understanding of how religious and folkloric traditions intersected in early modern Europe. Ostling's work frequently addresses the complex relationships between official church doctrine and popular beliefs.

Academic reviewers and students engage with Ostling's works primarily for research and coursework purposes, with limited public reviews available online. Readers appreciate: - Detailed archival research in "Between the Devil and the Host" - Clear explanations of complex religious and cultural intersections - Focus on understudied regions and beliefs in Eastern Europe - Balance between academic rigor and accessibility Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style can be challenging for general readers - Limited availability and high pricing of academic publications - Some readers note a need for more background context on Polish history Online Ratings & Reviews: - Goodreads: Limited data (fewer than 5 reviews) - Amazon: No customer reviews available - Google Scholar: "Between the Devil and the Host" cited in 105+ academic works - JSTOR: Multiple positive academic journal reviews noting strong scholarship and research methodology Academic reviewers specifically praise Ostling's "fresh perspective on witch trials" and "thorough examination of primary sources in multiple languages."

Between the Devil and the Host: Imagining Witchcraft in Early Modern Poland A historical analysis of witch trials and supernatural beliefs in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the early modern period, examining the intersection of Catholic and Protestant tensions.

Fairies, Demons, and Nature Spirits: 'Small Gods' at the Margins of Christendom An edited collection exploring how minor supernatural beings persisted in European folklore despite the dominance of Christianity.

Emotions in the History of Witchcraft A study examining the role of emotions in historical witch trials and supernatural beliefs, analyzing how feelings shaped accusations and persecutions.

Carlo Ginzburg explores microhistory and cultural analysis of witchcraft beliefs in early modern Europe through works like "The Night Battles" and "Ecstasies: Deciphering the Witches' Sabbath." His research methods reveal connections between folk beliefs and institutional religious structures through detailed examination of inquisition records.

Ronald Hutton focuses on the history of British paganism, witchcraft, and folk customs through extensive archival research. His work "The Witch: A History of Fear, From Ancient Times to the Present" provides comprehensive analysis of witch beliefs across cultures and time periods.

Wolfgang Behringer examines witch hunts in early modern Germany and their connection to climate change and social crisis. His research combines environmental history with analysis of witch persecution patterns to understand broader social and cultural dynamics.

Owen Davies specializes in the history of magic, witchcraft, and folk beliefs in modern Britain and America. His studies of grimoires and magical texts demonstrate the persistence of magical beliefs beyond the early modern period into contemporary times.

Eva Pócs investigates Hungarian and Eastern European folklore, focusing on supernatural beings and shamanic traditions. Her research on fairy beliefs and guardian spirits provides comparative framework for understanding non-Western European magical traditions.