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Cursed in New England: Stories of Damned Yankees
A collection of riveting stories about preternatural revenge, numerous in Yankee lore, with each New England state providing its favorites. Some are well known, at least regionally. Others are nearly forgotten. All are cursed.
- GenresParanormalTravel
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 14, 2012
Oh look, I added another book to my haunted history shelf. Well, I have 2 more to go after this one and then my pile of haunted reads will be done. I had promised myself I wouldn't read them till it was October, but I guess I just couldn't resist. Halloween came early to my reading choices this year.
This book is a bit different than the rest of the books currently on this shelf, instead of it being about traditional hauntings, this one is about curses. Curses on historical sites, families, lakes, churches, one sports team and a plethora of Native American curses for generations upon generations of genocide committed against them. Essentially this book has a lot of bloodthristy revenge in it, people whom you can't help feel that they got what they deserved and mysterious curses that seem to have no rhyme nor reason to them. But all are interesting.
It spans the entirety of New England (for the uninformed, New England is comprised of the states Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Conneticut) so each state is represented here. And after a few chapters you begin to get a feel for the sort of creepy story that each state seemed to prefer to tell.
Do I believe in curses? No, no more than I believe in ghosts or hauntings. This is modern America's mythology and I think that keeping these stories alive is an important part of keeping our history alive at the same time.
This book is a bit different than the rest of the books currently on this shelf, instead of it being about traditional hauntings, this one is about curses. Curses on historical sites, families, lakes, churches, one sports team and a plethora of Native American curses for generations upon generations of genocide committed against them. Essentially this book has a lot of bloodthristy revenge in it, people whom you can't help feel that they got what they deserved and mysterious curses that seem to have no rhyme nor reason to them. But all are interesting.
It spans the entirety of New England (for the uninformed, New England is comprised of the states Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Conneticut) so each state is represented here. And after a few chapters you begin to get a feel for the sort of creepy story that each state seemed to prefer to tell.
Do I believe in curses? No, no more than I believe in ghosts or hauntings. This is modern America's mythology and I think that keeping these stories alive is an important part of keeping our history alive at the same time.
February 13, 2024
I really enjoy Joe Citro’s haunted history and folklore books. Some of this was definitely another classic, but parts of it really just rubbed me wrong or seemed like the writing/research wasn’t the same as the quality I saw in his other books. I still definitely recommend it, but I think his strength lies in writing on certain topics and not others.
(FWIW I’m an academic and folklore is part of my field so these criticisms are voiced in that capacity. If you’re reading for enjoyment, please take this with a grain of salt.)
For example, he’s clearly much more knowledgable about colonial New Englanders and their lore and their descendants’ issues. But he seemed to overtly struggle with racist tropes (Shaman guide at a mystical spring? threats of revenge?? please, no, stop) and also with naming/vocabulary. It was difficult to get through some of the way he wrote about the Abenaki, considering the violent history of colonialism and lack of reparations that continue today, and considering he didn’t quote from their sources but used mainly lore from colonial or post-colonial sources that don’t consider or outright erase Native perspectives.
I was most baffled by his assertion that Rabbi Jacobson was the one to curse the Kennedy family because that’s impossible when checking the ship manifest records. Rabbi Jacobson fled Europe in 1925; he didn’t flee the Nazis. There are two other rabbis associated with the curse, but neither are mentioned in the chapter. Moreover, no sources on Jewish curses or folklore are used, though there are a great many good ones available, and no explanations are given for the curses. That was disappointing to see. Jewish curses against those who try to harm the tribe are actually part of the fabric of Jewish folklore and superstition, but curses and blessings are important on a mundane basis as well, woven into the fabric of regular speech. I would have liked to see him acknowledge that even just as a footnote.
The editor should have flagged some of this for revisions prior to publication, but I guess maybe in the early 00s that still wasn’t prevalent enough. I hope a revised version might be published at some point.
(FWIW I’m an academic and folklore is part of my field so these criticisms are voiced in that capacity. If you’re reading for enjoyment, please take this with a grain of salt.)
For example, he’s clearly much more knowledgable about colonial New Englanders and their lore and their descendants’ issues. But he seemed to overtly struggle with racist tropes (Shaman guide at a mystical spring? threats of revenge?? please, no, stop) and also with naming/vocabulary. It was difficult to get through some of the way he wrote about the Abenaki, considering the violent history of colonialism and lack of reparations that continue today, and considering he didn’t quote from their sources but used mainly lore from colonial or post-colonial sources that don’t consider or outright erase Native perspectives.
I was most baffled by his assertion that Rabbi Jacobson was the one to curse the Kennedy family because that’s impossible when checking the ship manifest records. Rabbi Jacobson fled Europe in 1925; he didn’t flee the Nazis. There are two other rabbis associated with the curse, but neither are mentioned in the chapter. Moreover, no sources on Jewish curses or folklore are used, though there are a great many good ones available, and no explanations are given for the curses. That was disappointing to see. Jewish curses against those who try to harm the tribe are actually part of the fabric of Jewish folklore and superstition, but curses and blessings are important on a mundane basis as well, woven into the fabric of regular speech. I would have liked to see him acknowledge that even just as a footnote.
The editor should have flagged some of this for revisions prior to publication, but I guess maybe in the early 00s that still wasn’t prevalent enough. I hope a revised version might be published at some point.
March 16, 2023
Another enjoyable "paranormal" read, this time about curses and the legends behind them in New England. I liked the way he presents each anecdote, giving the legend, then any historical background he was able to find, and occasionally his own personal experiences.
May 14, 2017
A few interesting things, but, mostly a joke. Citro reminds me of the main character in the movie "1408"...even he doesn't believe the crap he writes. It's just a "job".
December 16, 2019
Fascinating history of New England. I enjoyed how the author did not put their own slant on the story and had researched the information.
January 3, 2021
Bundles o' fun! This was the most enjoyable book I've read in a long time. Recommended for anyone in New England who likes creepy legends n stuffs.
June 2, 2021
Not bad. I wanted it to be slightly spookier than it was. An easy quick read, a fun break in between longer books.
May 26, 2023
Interesting read.
I found out about this book from the author of Stone Maidens. He mentioned it when he was on a talk show
I found out about this book from the author of Stone Maidens. He mentioned it when he was on a talk show
December 1, 2023
Very interesting book. Really liked all the stories.
September 6, 2020
The first half does a bit of a cake and eat it too, slightly debunking but doing the typical ghost story cliche of “maybe it really did!”, which feels very corporate mandate. A cheap scare and/or forced confirmation instead of just doing something more earnest.
After that, it strictly goes for telling the story and then giving the author’s research. Contradictions feeling earned thanks to the backing up of facts and reasoning as to why the story was told the way it was even if those have to be conjecture on occasion. While mysteries left as mysteries leave you with more a sense of curiosity, allowing the non-skeptics to come to the conclusions and stories they were hoping for while the skeptics have enough information to ponder their own conclusions.
The Kennedy section is particularly well-researched as is the Vermont miracle geysers. Fun read with some problems in the beginning.
After that, it strictly goes for telling the story and then giving the author’s research. Contradictions feeling earned thanks to the backing up of facts and reasoning as to why the story was told the way it was even if those have to be conjecture on occasion. While mysteries left as mysteries leave you with more a sense of curiosity, allowing the non-skeptics to come to the conclusions and stories they were hoping for while the skeptics have enough information to ponder their own conclusions.
The Kennedy section is particularly well-researched as is the Vermont miracle geysers. Fun read with some problems in the beginning.
November 25, 2009
Mainly the stories concern odd goings-on stemming from curses on some very bad folks. There is one about a man being pressed alive by huge stones during the infamous witch trials in the Salem, MA area and the aftermath that has haunted the town since, several accounts of chilling native american revenge curses and tales of woe upon those who've always done wrong to others. It seems to be a well researched and unbiased account and the fact that author has visited these places and notes his feelings is a huge bonus. He even debunked a few!
Reading this gave me an uneasy feeling about New England. I know we have our haunted spots such as Blood Cemetary and the like but I never realized many of the places so near to me had such horrifying histories. I never knew that North Pepperell, MA use to be a thriving community and has been plagued by a long ago curse. Nor did I know that Dudleytown, CT is one of the most haunted locations on the planet. And the bit about the Kennedy clan was surprising to me as well. I'm ashamed to admit but I've never delved into the Kennedy history and was quite surprised by some of things the author revealed here though I'm sure that to others it is all old news. That Joe Kennedy was one evil fella if everything in this account is true. I got the shivers just reading about him and thinking on all of the tragedy surrounding his clan to this day which may or may not go way back to a curse placed upon the arrogant, thoughtless Joe Kennedy many moons ago. Chilling stuff, to be sure.
I don't know if I'm brave enough to visit some of these places but it sure was fascinating to read about them.
Reading this gave me an uneasy feeling about New England. I know we have our haunted spots such as Blood Cemetary and the like but I never realized many of the places so near to me had such horrifying histories. I never knew that North Pepperell, MA use to be a thriving community and has been plagued by a long ago curse. Nor did I know that Dudleytown, CT is one of the most haunted locations on the planet. And the bit about the Kennedy clan was surprising to me as well. I'm ashamed to admit but I've never delved into the Kennedy history and was quite surprised by some of things the author revealed here though I'm sure that to others it is all old news. That Joe Kennedy was one evil fella if everything in this account is true. I got the shivers just reading about him and thinking on all of the tragedy surrounding his clan to this day which may or may not go way back to a curse placed upon the arrogant, thoughtless Joe Kennedy many moons ago. Chilling stuff, to be sure.
I don't know if I'm brave enough to visit some of these places but it sure was fascinating to read about them.
November 16, 2016
With this book, Mr. Citro offers up another example of his fine ability as a raconteur. His in-depth look at another side of New England is fascinating. Whether you believe in curses or not, after reading this book you have to admit, at the very least, that the possibility of their existence cannot be ignored. From the colonial era to the Kennedy dynasty, Mr. Citro leaves no stone unturned while sniffing out trails of misfortune.
This book is entertaining as well as educational. Mr. Citro's well-researched documentation of New England history grounds these stories in fact. Cursed places, people, and things abound. Of course there is a chapter on Giles Corey - how could there not be when writing about New England curses - as well as rare oddities such as the threat of a curse from a tree in Duxbury, Massachusetts. I believe this to be the only glimpse into New England from this view, and few books in the genre are so engagingly written. Mr. Citro's story-telling is second to none.
I thoroughly enjoyed this look at New England. This book is a rare gem that could only have come from Joseph A. Citro. He is a true folklorist who is keeping alive the legends of New England. I would highly recommend this to anyone seeking a different perspective.
This book is entertaining as well as educational. Mr. Citro's well-researched documentation of New England history grounds these stories in fact. Cursed places, people, and things abound. Of course there is a chapter on Giles Corey - how could there not be when writing about New England curses - as well as rare oddities such as the threat of a curse from a tree in Duxbury, Massachusetts. I believe this to be the only glimpse into New England from this view, and few books in the genre are so engagingly written. Mr. Citro's story-telling is second to none.
I thoroughly enjoyed this look at New England. This book is a rare gem that could only have come from Joseph A. Citro. He is a true folklorist who is keeping alive the legends of New England. I would highly recommend this to anyone seeking a different perspective.
July 22, 2011
eh....i mean....its good but....i dont feel like there is enough stories about Vermont-i know for a fact(cause i live in vermont) that alot of families have ghost staories to tell that are true and scary and have old curses laying around -even still to this day-i dont think the author did a good job looking fully thru new england for true stories-i think hes more or less trying to debunk all these SUPPOSED curses-why dosnt the author go to vermont and ask around? looks to me like he didnt even try :/
August 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, partly because I like ghost stories. This is a good book to read in the fall, with the wind blowing and a chill in the air, with a drink by your side and all the lights off except the one next to you. A creepy atmosphere will add to the stories.
June 5, 2013
Some of the stories inside were worth the read, but some really weren't. I loved the intro about Black Aggie, but the ending was kind of a let down. The longer stories were the more captivating ones.
November 13, 2014
Spooky stories of curses, ghosts, and dark legends of New England. I thoroughly enjoyed it and now I need to travel there.
October 20, 2011
New England - Spooky stories. AWESOME!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews