Demons.

[Zee.]

I'm looking for some books on demons. Real ones. I mean, books about demons in history - origins, beliefs, accounts. Ghosts, demons, the difference between the two. Spirits. The more terrifying the better. I want to learn about them and their place in history, etc, opposed to stories

[The Comedian]

Real demons eh, well, I'll have to PM you to give you my mother-in-law's story. Totally real. Totally demonic. :lol:

[stlukesguild]

You too, eh?:lol:

[Red-Headed]

I'm looking for some books on demons. Real ones. I mean, books about demons in history - origins, beliefs, accounts. Ghosts, demons, the difference between the two. Spirits. The more terrifying the better. I want to learn about them and their place in history, etc, opposed to stories

I don't know about demons, maybe start off on some Dion Fortune (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dion_Fortune).

[Zee.]

Had a feeling some would take this thread as a joke, but i'm serious. They played a crucial role in many peoples beliefs in history and i want to know of their origins etc

[Mathor]

http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/iwd/index.htm
http://www.cimmay.us/defoe.html

hope this helps :)

[Lokasenna]

I've done a bit of work on demons. The seminal text is Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal, though its hard to get hold of a copy. This link will give you a .pdf of the first english translation:

http://www.lucifer.tw/fantasy/artist/devil/pic/plancy.pdf

Another good work for demonology is The Lesser Key of Solomon, an anonymous 17th century work - and here is an online version for you:

http://www.sacred-texts.com/grim/lks/index.htm

Demons really are fascinating entities... and such an under-studied area of anthropology. Good on you for wanting to learn more!

[Modest Proposal]

I've done a bit of work on demons. The seminal text is Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal, though its hard to get hold of a copy. This link will give you a .pdf of the first english translation:

http://www.lucifer.tw/fantasy/artist/devil/pic/plancy.pdf

Another good work for demonology is The Lesser Key of Solomon, an anonymous 17th century work - and here is an online version for you:

http://www.sacred-texts.com/grim/lks/index.htm

Demons really are fascinating entities... and such an under-studied area of anthropology. Good on you for wanting to learn more!

Wasn't one of the British king's really interested in writing about witchcraft and demons. I seem to remember hearing this somewhere.

[Dinkleberry2010]

Here are a few books on the subject: A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels and Other Subversive Spirits by Carol Mack and Dinah Mack;
Demonology by King James I;
The History of the Devil and the Idea of Evil by Paul Carus;
The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology by Russell Hope Robbins
Demonism of the Ages by J.M. Peebles
The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology by Rosemary Ellen Guiley;
The History of Witchcraft and Demonology by Montague Summers

[Dark Muse]

I absolutely love the book "A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angles, and other Subversive Spirits" by Carol K. Mack and Dinah Mack

[Gustavo L.]

I bet you’ll enjoy Jules Michelet’s “The Sorceress: Satanism and Witchcraft”.

(I just discovered that, despite the fact it is a non-fiction book, someone made an anime based on it, which now I’m dying to see)