The Witches
Books | History / United States / Colonial Period (1600-1775)
3.4
(206)
Stacy Schiff
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning and #1 bestselling author of Cleopatra comes a rich historical account unpacking the mystery of the Salem Witch Trials and the inspiration for Broadway's John Proctor is the Villain starring Sadie Sink. 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 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.
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Author
Stacy Schiff
Pages
512
Publisher
Little, Brown
Published Date
2015-10-27
ISBN
0316200611 9780316200615
Community ReviewsSee all
"Interested in learning more about what happened during the hysteria and panic in 1692 Salem? Check out this great read doing exactly that."
Joslyn
"This was both fascinating and frustrating at the same time. Also concerning, when our current reality mirrors a lot of the issues that caused innocent people to be harmed. This was a super in depth historic read, but I couldn’t put it down."
Olivia Huie
"Remarkable exploration of the Salem tragedy within the context of the Puritan mentality. Schiff reminds us that belief in witches and the supernatural was the norm, not the exception; and that this was a society plagued by very real terror from hostile Frenchman and Indians and natural disasters. When seemingly random accidents, illnesses and sudden death surround you, how easy to conclude that dark forces are at work? And how much easier to assume that those ornery, litigious neighbors you've been feuding with for years are at the bottom of it?<br/><br/>Schiff looks at the contending factions within Salem society that preceded the witchcraft trials, and provides a peek at the later lives of the surviving judges, accusers and accused, (few ended happily). Yet she never reaches for simplistic explanations, instead merely suggesting an array of complicating factors; adolescent fantasies, grudges, religious fervor, and perhaps simply the desire for attention."
Lesley Williams
"I am torn between 2 or 3 stars. While this is a very well researched book it is very long and slow. It also has too many characters to follow and footnotes. The only positive besides the research is that it gives a comprehensive picture of Salem in 1692 beyond The Crucible."
Jessica A
"Just started and I’m enthralled!"
Corine Hernandez
"The writing style made this a difficult read. Still, I found the subject fascinating so I didn’t have a problem continuing until the end. However, I would never recommend this to casual readers - it is hard to get through. What I find even more fascinating is how the witch trials kind of parallel what is happening today with the vilification of people considered as “others” or disenfranchised populations. History keeps repeating itself..."
"Reads like a term paper about minor characters from Salem, full of disjointed facts and unnecessary footnotes that never gets to the point"
J S
Jeffrey Sansome