The Witches: Salem, 1692
Ratings23
Average rating3.1
15
Ratings23
Average rating3.1
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Cleopatra, the #1 national bestseller, unpacks the mystery of the Salem Witch Trials. It began in 1692, over an exceptionally raw Massachusetts winter, when a minister's daughter began to scream and convulse. It ended less than a year later, but not before 19 men and women had been hanged and an 80-year-old man crushed to death. The panic spread quickly, involving the most educated men and prominent politicians in the colony. Neighbors accused neighbors, parents and children each other. Aside from suffrage, the Salem Witch Trials represent the only moment when women played the central role in American history. In curious ways, the trials would shape the future republic. As psychologically thrilling as it is historically seminal, The Witches is Stacy Schiff's account of this fantastical story-the first great American mystery unveiled fully for the first time by one of our most acclaimed historians. - Publisher.
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Reviews with the most likes.
I'm not sure why I struggled so long to read this! Deciding to finish with the audiobook was a good idea and I was able to blow through it, and really enjoyed it. Some of the footnotes are a little out of place (I mean, bringing in the Wicked Witch of the West is cute, but not necessarily appropriate). Schiff has really good information and gives a broader view of Salem than other books do.
Despite plenty of room to develop a strong narrative, this book is dry and fact-based. Even though history and lore around witches fascinates me, I found this one to be “just okay.” Listened on audio and enjoyed the narration.
I like the fact that the author appears to be basing her book on what she's able to verify [she mentions in the intro that it's hard to determine exactly how many were on trial due to the vague descriptions of the accused].
What I wasn't interested in is the style of the presentation of the topic. I had a hard time understanding how what was being presented was organized. It seemed to be a casual wander thru various intermingled subjects, as if listening to someone reminisce almost. I'm more of a logical, linear person.
