Customer Reviews

The Salem Witch Trials Reader

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Finally, original texts! Those of us interested in the Salem Witch Trials must thank Ms. Hill for providing us with the opportunity, finally, to have access to many invaluable first-hand accounts of this most fascinating moment in history. Reading this extraordinary volume provides not only a political, religious, and historical context for the trials, but fills one with a real sense of the emotional response experienced by both victims and accusers. In modernizing spelling, Ms. Hill has rendered these texts a bit more readily comprehensible, yet she has changed neither the actual text nor its meaning. For students and enthusiasts of this subject alike, this is an absolute necessity!

This truly a great book on the subject of the Salem witch trials. First, it offers historical context presenting period works, and then it expands to sampling the works written on the event since, showing the fascination we hold for it.

The author begins with writings of the time, things that Salem residents would have come across in their own lives. Past that, she moves into the actual event, showing all sorts of personal accounts. Alongside these she offers brief biographies of the authors and certain named VIPs, which are helpful if you are reading on the subject for the first time.

One of the things that was impressed upon me while reading this was just how many time periods have been caught up by the trials. Immediately after they took place there was an effort to come to grips with what had happened. From then until now each era had their own take on the subject. Fiction seems to have followed a similar pattern. Not being a literary historian, I was surprised that Nathaniel Hawthorn's work on the subject was not the first fictional treatment! She offers works up to the present day, ending with the 1990's.

The only thing I would wish improved upon is that the commentary's typeface would be changed so that the eye can switch easily from the works shown and the author's thoughts.

It would be very hard for anyone to have copies of all the books and essays excerpted here. That there is knowledgeable commentary is a plus. I found it plainly compelling reading. If the Salem witch trials interest you this should be one of the books you own on the subject. It will be a great compliment to any conventional history of the event, which this book does not necessarily replace.

This book will give anyone interested in the horror of the 1692 witchhunt, including those who loved Ms Hill's engrossing A DELUSION OF SATAN, a fascinating read through the exciting original documents. Indian raids, witchcraft, religious outrages and the miscarriages of justice that led to the terrible hangings are all revealed as if we were there. It's hard to imagine how this book could be bettered.

I just finished reading this book. It was very interesting telling abut the personal accounts, history of Salem, religious beliefs, the trial, and the persecution that these people went through. I loved this book because it explained in depth while easy to understand and not boring or drawn out. I have a second copy of this book also from a relative and am definitely going to read this one again. Anyone who is interested in the Witch Trials should read this book. It was just like being in court during the late 17th century. A GREAT BOOK.

I am enthralled with the history of this period and mesmerized by its depiction in the several books...this, included...that I recently purchased on the topic.

I purchased this book in Boston, Mass in 2003 when I went on a Witch Trial Tour and never tried to read it until this past year. It seemed hard to get into so I stopped right away. I tried it a second time and them found reason after reason to not pick it up. (It was too heavy to lay in bed with, I didn't want to ruin my souvenir.) Anyway ... My husband purchased a Kindle for my last birthday and this book was available on Kindle. I read it all the way through and this is my take on it. I found myself reading it in an English / British accent due to the archaic language and that mostly English were settling in Boston at the time. It was funny to catch myself reading it that way. This is very disturbing to read at times, due to the obvious ignorance that ran rampant and at times, laughable. It was actually transcripts mixed with pictures, mixed with actual letters and church surmons from the time. It was at times repetitive and could have been better organized but I guess I should be more understanding and give them some slack considering how long ago this is and how hard it must have been to track down the materials to put this work together. It is definitely worth reading and I would do it again if I wanted to channel my inner English Madam or Brit! No matter how it is put together, if you are fascinated with this period of mass hysteria, you will love the different takes this book lends to this embarrassing time that can't be forgotten.

This book is written in the manner of speaking of that era. This makes it difficult to read.