In 2010, a New Zealander and Alexandrian Wiccan High Priest named Ben Whitmore published a short book criticising both Hutton and Triumph of the Moon. Entitled Trials of the Moon: Reopening the Case for Historical Witchcraft, Whitmore's book was self-published by the Auckland-based Briar Books.Whitmore 2010. In stating his case, Whitmore related that whilst he would agree with Hutton that Wicca is "largely a reinvention" of ancient paganism, he "disagree[d] with several of Hutton's supporting claims, and believe his case is overstated and deeply misleading."Whitmore 2010. pp. 1—2. Describing Hutton as "a maverick historian" with a "far more conservative" take on the history of witchcraft than most of his fellows,Whitmore 2010. p. 2. Whitmore argues that in Triumph of the Moon, Hutton has "swept aside significant unresolved questions, significant contrary evidence and whole fields of potential inquiry."Whitmore 2010. p. 4.
