The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem

by Stacy Schiff

Book Overview

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 elderly man crushed to death.

The panic spread quickly, involving the most educated men...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031620059X
• ISBN13: 9780316200592
• Release Date: September 2016
• Publisher: Back Bay Books
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book.

This book is written by an accomplished professor and is not designed to provide a watered-down account of the events that occurred in Salem. If you are interested in reading academic-level text (and are able to) this is a great book for that. If not, you will want to find something a little more simple.

A clear headed look at the Salem Witch Trials

In contrast with another reviewer, I enjoyed this. It was an even-handed look at the witch trials, giving each side its say, without belittling anyone. The subject itself is crazy enough without embellishments.

Just no.

I was not impressed with this book. I bought it looking for a history of the witch trials, some of which I got. However, the author is long winded in her descriptions and thumps from one year to another within paragraphs/even sentences, which made for an exceptionally confusing read. Please find another book to read if possible on the topic.