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'The Robert Cochrane Letters An Insight into Modern Traditional Witchcraft' Robert Cochrane with Evan John Jones by Michael Howard (Editor) © 2002 Capall Bann ISBN 186163 209 6 Paperback 182 pages + Further Reading $19.50 (U.S.)
Michael Howard, the editor of this book and its predecessor (The Roebuck in the Thicket, also from Capall Bann) has been involved in the occult community for many years. He has done an excellent job of presenting the letters of Robert Cochrane to various individuals, which form the basis of what is know about Mr. Cochrane's beliefs.
There is very little of Cochrane's beliefs stated outright in these letters.. That is the way of Mr. Cochrane. He wrote mostly in hints and riddles. Some of his ideas (such as the dismissal of Gerald Gardner and his beliefs) will offend many Gardnerians and others descended from that line. Some of his ideas (such as Witchcraft not being a religion, and being usable by anyone of any religious belief) will fit right in with what I have called the "revisionist" witches - those who insist that Wicca and Witchcraft have always been separate entities (I won't go into that debate here).
One thing is absolutely certain. Robert Cochrane died much too soon. There is no telling what other contributions he would have made to the community.
It is unfortunate that we only have one side of the correspondence between Cochrane and Joe Wilson, Norman Gills, and William Gray. It would have been informative to see the other side as well, but since many of his personal effects were burned by his family following his death, we must make do with what is available.
Reviewer: Mike Gleason
If you would like to join in on a discussion about this book, please go to the forum here: Robert Cochrane Letters