In 15 essays, all but one previously published in various venues, Ferreiro (European history, Seattle Pacific U.) demonstrates the chronological trajectory of the famous magician and the creative ways in which he was adapted over centuries by those who used him to condemn magic, witchcraft, Gnosticism, Islam, heresy in all its manifestations and other evils; and even to promote papal primacy. His topics include Simon Peter and Simon Magus in the Acts of Peter and the Passion of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul , Priscillian and Nicolaitism, and Simon Magus and Simon Peter in Medieval Irish and English legends and in a Baroque alter relief in the Cathedral of Oviedo in Spain. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)