The New Encyclopedia of the Occult (ISBN 1567183360)

a powerful reference for anyone who wants to know about Occult history:
John Michael Greer has created a great Occult dictionary that provides quick and well researched definitions for pretty much any Occult term one can think of as well as the biographies of influential luminaries of esoterica, their ideas and contributions. If you're doing any sort of academic research into mysticism and the Occult, it's a great starting point for your study and a good source for finding related information.

Simply amazing:
Wealth of information. Substance. Thematic work. Clarity. Knowledge. In brief, get a copy!

great except..:
great except for the fact that the book doesn't really expose the Illuminati well with their human sacrifice rituals etc.

Good reference book & fairly priced:
Useful, practical, compact. All basic terms & meanings are in. Good reference book at fair price

A Good Introduction to Occult Topics, Traditions & Personalities:
Greer's encyclopedia is one of several reference works I own and use. Others include the older Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology, edited by J. Gordon Melton and the newer Dictionary of Gnosis & Western Esotericism, edited by Wouter Hanegraaff. Unlike these larger and more expensive works, Greer's text is more accessible and written with the layperson in mind. It is good for a general introduction to various occult topics, traditions and personalities which may be explored in more detail through other works, including those within the bibliography. Although Greer utilized multiple sources for information, it is still a text written by him alone. It should not be considered the last or definitive word on any subject and should be used in conjunction with other reputable reference works. I'm sure he would agree. I also appreciate that he is open to reader input regarding any apparent flaws in the material which will be taken into consideration for future editions. The fact that Greer is a serious occult practitioner and not just a theoretician will also have merit for many. Whether one is just curious or a seasoned practitioner, this is an important and welcome reference work to consult.