The Witch Hunts: A History of the Witch Persecutions in Europe and North America

By Robert Thurston and Robert W. Thurston

Book Overview

Tens of thousands of people were persecuted and put to death as witches between 1400 and 1700 - the great age of witch hunts. Locating its origins 400 years earlier in the growing perception of threats to Western Christendom, Robert Thurston outlines the development of a 'persecuting society' in which campaigns against scapegoats such as heretics, Jews, lepers and homosexuals set the scene for the later witch hunts. He examines the creation of the witch stereotype and looks at how the early trials and hunts evolved, with the shift from accusatory to inquisitorial court procedures and reliance upon confessions leading to the increasing use of torture.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1405840838
• ISBN13: 9781405840835
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.2" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

A great, understandable overview

Despite having to use this book for a class, I actually thoroughly enjoyed it. It's written in such a way that it's easy to understand and interesting. I would recommend this to anyone interested in the topic.