The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of New England Under Siege [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Marilynne K. Roach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2002

Based on over twenty years of original archival research, this history unfolds a nearly day-by-day narrative of the Salem Witch Trials as the citizens of Salem experienced the outbreak of hysteria.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Salem witch trials of 1692-1693 remain one of the enigmas of American history. How did the witchcraft hysteria come about? Did the imaginations of the townspeople run wild so that they viewed unneighborly acts as an evil threat promulgated by Satan's minions? Roach (In the Days of the Salem Witchcraft Trial) answers these and other questions in her monumental daily chronology of the trial years. She introduces her account with an exhaustive narrative history of the Salem community from 1661 to 1691. With workmanlike precision, she provides historical details-such as the conflicts between church congregations and ministers and the increasing frequency of Indian attacks-as she contends that the hysteria arose most likely from the political, religious and social turmoil of the time. Using newly available diaries, journals and letters, Roach then reconstructs, for the first time, daily life during the height of the witch trials as well as accounts of court proceedings, arrests and suspects' confessions. In an epilogue, Roach shows that, just a decade after the trials, preachers sought repentance for the injustices done and that the desire to right the wrongs of the trials lasted well into the 19th century. Roach's detailed reference book provides deep insights into the trial years by letting us listen to the voices of everyone involved. 35 b&w illus. and maps.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 784 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press; 1 edition (September 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815412215
• ISBN-13: 978-0815412212
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,053,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for study, casual and educational reading!, February 19, 2003

By 

Paul A. Maher "author of Kerouac: The Definit... (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of New England Under Siege (Hardcover)

For all of those interested in reading about witchcraft hysteria, Ms. Roach's new book, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-To-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege, (written after twenty-seven years of exhaustive research) documents the day-by-day events which culminated in one of the most shameful and horrifying chapters in America's heritage. Her meticulous footnoting and chronological accounts of how this historical oddity unfolded makes this book a valuable tool for historians and students. Also, the careful writing makes it an enjoyable reading for those that like to be caught up in the glorious intonations of prosaic language. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Used book, new condition!, December 14, 2011

By 

ccallen - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of New England Under Siege (Hardcover)

This was a used book that new was over $30.00, yet I bought it used for only a few dollars, and it was in brand new condition. Exactly what the description said.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent look at the Salem Witch Trials, March 2, 2003

By 

Matthew Zupka "Lord Zupka" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of New England Under Siege (Hardcover)

This novel is an excellent look into the exact events that took place during a six year period in history. It goes into great detail about all the various trials, the people and events of the time that contributed to create one of the most intriguing times in history.