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Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials
A “thought-provoking and timely” (The Times, London) global history of witch trials across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, told through thirteen distinct trials that illuminate a pattern of demonization and conspiratorial thinking that has profoundly shaped human history.
This “inventive and compelling” (Times Literary Supplement) work of social history travels through thirteen witch trials across history, some famous—like the Salem witch trials—and some on Vardø island, Norway, in the 1620s, where an indigenous Sami woman was accused of murder; in France in 1731, during the country’s last witch trial, where a young woman was pitted against her confessor and cult leader; in Lesotho in 1948, where British colonial authorities executed local leaders. Exploring how witchcraft was feared, then decriminalized, and then reimagined as gendered persecution, Witchcraft takes on the intersections between gender and power, indigenous spirituality and colonial rule, political conspiracy and individual resistance.
Offering a striking, dramatic journey unspooling over centuries and across continents, Witchcraft is a “well-rounded insight into some of the strangest and cruelest moments in history” (Buzz Magazine), giving voice to those who have been silenced by history.
This “inventive and compelling” (Times Literary Supplement) work of social history travels through thirteen witch trials across history, some famous—like the Salem witch trials—and some on Vardø island, Norway, in the 1620s, where an indigenous Sami woman was accused of murder; in France in 1731, during the country’s last witch trial, where a young woman was pitted against her confessor and cult leader; in Lesotho in 1948, where British colonial authorities executed local leaders. Exploring how witchcraft was feared, then decriminalized, and then reimagined as gendered persecution, Witchcraft takes on the intersections between gender and power, indigenous spirituality and colonial rule, political conspiracy and individual resistance.
Offering a striking, dramatic journey unspooling over centuries and across continents, Witchcraft is a “well-rounded insight into some of the strangest and cruelest moments in history” (Buzz Magazine), giving voice to those who have been silenced by history.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2023
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February 12, 2024
3.5 stars
Author Marion Gibson, a historian of witchcraft and magic, writes about ancient and modern witches and witch-trials. In this book, Gibson hones in on thirteen trials that span Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Author Marion Gibson
In modern times people often associate witches with characters in television shows like Bewitched, Charmed, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Mayfair Witches, etc., where the witches are funny or helpful or heroic....protagonists we root for.
Elizabeth Montgomery played witch Samantha Stevens in 'Bewitched'
In the real world, however, witches have generally been thought of as evil beings who use magic to do harm. In the Bible, witch stories extend back hundreds of years BCE, but witch hunts really took off during the medieval period, with the study of demonology by Christian clergymen.
Christian clerics persecuted witches in the Middle Ages
According to Gibson, clerics believed witches were committed to wickedness, and "the imaginative world of the 15th to 18th centuries was crammed with curses and blessings, angels, devils, ghosts, sprits that could invade bodies, fairies, and elves."
Belief in demons and other supernatural beings was common in the Middle Ages
Witches, thought to be empowered by Satan, caused fear and terror, and had to be rooted out of society. Gibson writes that most witches were thought to be female, and many of them were poor and uneducated. Gibson goes on to say, "Christian priests were all male....[and some] were obsessed with the regulation of women: their sexuality, conduct, and thought." Often, women (and a few men) accused of witchcraft were perceived as wanting revenge for some slight, so that something happened to the offender: their cow died, their wife couldn't conceive, their ship sank, their crops failed, their business lost money, their child took sick, and so on.
There were many accusations of witchcraft in the Middle Ages
Gibson discusses thirteen witch trials, expanding on the lives of the accused as well as the accusers, and she provides background details of the time, place, atmosphere, laws, religious beliefs, witnesses, verdicts, etc. Many 'witches' were tortured into 'confessing', and the tales are shocking and sad.
I'll mention a few examples of witch trials, to give you a glimpse of the book.
Helena Scheuberin (1485) in Austria. Helena was accused of poisoning a knight named Jörg Spiess, who had wanted 'more than friendship' with married Helena. Helena was tried by inquisitor Heinrich Kramer who believed witches were devil-worshippers who had given their souls to Satan; prayed to the devil; killed animals and people; and performed every evil they could imagine.
Inquisitor Heinrich Kramer
Tatabe (1692) in Salem, Massachusetts. Native American Tatabe grew up in Barbados and was brought to Salem as a slave. Tatabe was unfortunate enough to be enslaved in the household of a Puritan minister named Samuel Parris when young girls in the home claimed to be bewitched.
Puritan Minister Samuel Parris
Many 'witches' were hung during the Salem witch trials
Helen Duncan (1941) in Barham, England. Helen was a spiritualist/medium who announced that a British ship, the HMS Barham was lost BEFORE this information was public knowledge. This 'foreknowledge', as well as Helen channeling dead people, materializing ectoplasm, and so on led to accusations of witchcraft.
Helen Duncan (allegedly) materialized spirits during her seances
Stormy Daniels (2020) in Columbus, Ohio. Stormy (perhaps best known for her liaisons with Donald Trump) is an adult film star, tarot-reader, ghost-hunter, medium, and believer in a non-traditional religion. When Stormy sued her lawyer Michael Avenattii for defrauding her, she found herself accused of being 'a witch who practices witchcraft.'
Stormy Daniels
The libeling of Stormy Daniels shows that accusations of 'witch' still occur in modern times. Gibson notes, "Witchcraft is still criminalized in multiple nations and quasi-states." The author observes that in Guatemala, traditional healers were killed for being witches in 2021; during Nepal's civil war (1996-2006), suspected witches were beaten or burned to death; in Britain in 2000, a 'child witch' of African descent was tied up in a bath, beaten with hammers and chains, burned, and cut. And more.
In modern times, children are often accused of being witches
The author has done an immense amount of research for the book, which has extensive notes and an index. The narrative is interesting but dry and repetitive, and the author tries too hard to connect incidents in disparate places. What comes across very clearly is that men have felt compelled to control women from time immemorial, and an accusation of witchcraft is one tool in their arsenal. Historically, this has been a powerful tool, and it continues in some places today.
The book is well worth reading for readers interested in the subject matter.
Thanks to Netgalley, Marion Gibson, and Scribner for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
August 14, 2023
I'm going to start with the positives. The book is clearly very well-researched and based on the author's extensive knowledge of the history of witch trials and demonology. It contains an examination of thirteen trials that had witchcraft as a central issue - whether as a question to be legally determined, or as part of the contextual background to a broader issue to be determined, for example, as a component of a murder trial. It also had a really expansive historical range, from the early history of witch trials right up to the 'witch trial' of Stormy Daniels.
Yet, with the wealth of knowledge and information contained within the book, it just wasn't a particularly entertaining read, at times even bordering on dull, reading more like an academic text rather than a non-fiction narrative of witchcraft history. This is something of a shame, because the author has a lot of interesting things to say, particularly about the way in which witchcraft accusations have been used as a way to control and police persecuted or oppressed peoples, especially women and minorities. In many ways, accusing someone of witchcraft is a way of 'othering' as well as an exercise of power - even as a way to build power and wealth.
My overriding conclusion as I finished the book, was that while there was a lot of interesting information contained within its pages, the story-telling could have been improved. Ultimately, I read this book for the stories, and they were somehow made lack-lustre.
Yet, with the wealth of knowledge and information contained within the book, it just wasn't a particularly entertaining read, at times even bordering on dull, reading more like an academic text rather than a non-fiction narrative of witchcraft history. This is something of a shame, because the author has a lot of interesting things to say, particularly about the way in which witchcraft accusations have been used as a way to control and police persecuted or oppressed peoples, especially women and minorities. In many ways, accusing someone of witchcraft is a way of 'othering' as well as an exercise of power - even as a way to build power and wealth.
My overriding conclusion as I finished the book, was that while there was a lot of interesting information contained within its pages, the story-telling could have been improved. Ultimately, I read this book for the stories, and they were somehow made lack-lustre.
December 14, 2023
This is the story of many women and men from across the centuries and around the world who have been tried for witchcraft, and the often surprising historical currents that led them there, and influenced whether they would be allowed to live or die.
I was born about an hour away from Salem, Massachusetts, though I never went to visit until 2019. Of course I went in October, which is the absolute peak of their tourist station, and battled my way through a crowded open air market to check out all the witchy sights. In this day and age, it can be tough to imagine how seriously the accusations were taken back then, but Witchcraft does an excellent job of putting things in perspective.
In this book, we are taken on a trip to attend thirteen different witch trials, which take place across diverse points in space and time. I liked how the author showed us how society's perspective on witchcraft evolved from trying to persecute those that were sincerely believed to be in the league with the devil to charging them for presenting themselves as workers of magic. Gibson does an excellent job of explaining the complicated history that often led up to the accusations.
However, I did feel that the writing was dry at times, almost more academic than popular nonfiction; despite the interesting stories related, I found myself getting a little bored at times. I also thought the modern-day section of the book was markedly weaker than the rest of it, as the author didn't do a very good job of diving into the material as she did with the older historical cases.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I was born about an hour away from Salem, Massachusetts, though I never went to visit until 2019. Of course I went in October, which is the absolute peak of their tourist station, and battled my way through a crowded open air market to check out all the witchy sights. In this day and age, it can be tough to imagine how seriously the accusations were taken back then, but Witchcraft does an excellent job of putting things in perspective.
In this book, we are taken on a trip to attend thirteen different witch trials, which take place across diverse points in space and time. I liked how the author showed us how society's perspective on witchcraft evolved from trying to persecute those that were sincerely believed to be in the league with the devil to charging them for presenting themselves as workers of magic. Gibson does an excellent job of explaining the complicated history that often led up to the accusations.
However, I did feel that the writing was dry at times, almost more academic than popular nonfiction; despite the interesting stories related, I found myself getting a little bored at times. I also thought the modern-day section of the book was markedly weaker than the rest of it, as the author didn't do a very good job of diving into the material as she did with the older historical cases.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
February 22, 2025
An interesting if not quite gripping read. It suffers from ambition - trying to cover a huge range of time and story means it never quite goes into enough detail or focus, and tries to include very different types of witchcraft, witch trials and witches without ever quite making the links between them. The final chapters bringing the story up the modern world with Stormy Daniels and Nollywood movies seem particularly out of place. Overall though, an interesting overview and a good entry level read on the subject.
October 5, 2024
"Hexenprozesse werden durchgeführt, um Macht über andere Menschen auszuüben - um sie zu verletzen, zum Schweigen zu bringen, zu verurteilen und zu töten. Wenn wir diesen Schmerz und die daraus resultierende Verbitterung nicht nachempfinden, können wir die Unrechtmäßigkeit, das offenkundige Unrecht dieser Verfolgung nicht verstehen. Denn wenn wir es nicht nachfühlen, wie können wir es dann bekämpfen?" - Marion Gibson, "Hexen: Eine Weltgeschichte in 13 Prozessen vom Mittelalter bis heute"
Marion Gibson ist Professorin für Renaissance und magische Literaturen an der Universität von Exeter, UK. Seit vielen Jahren interessiert sie sich für Hexen und hat zwischenzeitlich neun Bücher über sie verfasst. In "Hexen: Eine Weltgeschichte in 13 Prozessen vom Mittelalter bis heute", übersetzt von Karin Schuler und Thomas Stauder, betrachtet sie 13 Hexenprozesse auf der ganzen Welt und legt dabei besonderen Wert auf die Perspektive der Personen, zumeist Frauen, die als Hexen angeklagt wurden. Das Buch ist unterteilt in drei Abschnitte, im Ersten beschreibt Marion Gibson Gerichtsverfahren gegen Hexen im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert, im Zweiten widmet sie sich der Verfolgung von Hexen in der neueren Zeit und im dritten Abschnitt zwei Hexenprozessen von heute. Ihr gelingt es dabei, die Gegebenheiten der verschiedenen Prozesse erlebbar zu machen und verdeutlicht, wie internalisierter Frauenhass, Rassismus, Kolonialismus und die Gier nach Macht Hexenverfolgungen wesentlich beeinflussten. Gerade bei den Hexenprozessen im Mittelalter war ich oft schockiert ob der Willkür, die damals im Rechtssystem herrschte und der fadenscheinigen Anklagen, die häufig zu Folter und Mord führten. Aber auch die Hexenprozesse im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert entbehrten meist jeglicher Logik. Spannend fand ich, dass Gibson ganz verschiedene Konstellationen beschreibt, die zu Hexenprozessen führten - die Gerichtsverfahren selbst und die massive Gewalt an Frauen ähneln sich jedoch immer. Vor allem durch die letzten beiden Kapitel, unter anderem über Stormy Daniels, zeigt die Autorin die Relevanz auf, die auch oder gerade heute noch in dem Wissen um Hexen(prozesse) liegt. Ich denke, ein paar Kapitel weniger, um den Fokus mehr auf bestimmte Hexenverfolgungen zu legen, hätten dem Sachbuch gut getan, insgesamt war es mir mit fast 500 Seiten deutlich zu umfangreich. Auch habe ich innerhalb der Prozesse eine gewisse Struktur vermisst, jedes der Kapitel umfasst rund 40 Seiten, weshalb mir das Dranbleiben manchmal schwer fiel. Wer sich für Hexen und historische Sachbücher interessiert, sollte sich Marion Gibsons Buch aber nicht entgehen lassen!
Marion Gibson ist Professorin für Renaissance und magische Literaturen an der Universität von Exeter, UK. Seit vielen Jahren interessiert sie sich für Hexen und hat zwischenzeitlich neun Bücher über sie verfasst. In "Hexen: Eine Weltgeschichte in 13 Prozessen vom Mittelalter bis heute", übersetzt von Karin Schuler und Thomas Stauder, betrachtet sie 13 Hexenprozesse auf der ganzen Welt und legt dabei besonderen Wert auf die Perspektive der Personen, zumeist Frauen, die als Hexen angeklagt wurden. Das Buch ist unterteilt in drei Abschnitte, im Ersten beschreibt Marion Gibson Gerichtsverfahren gegen Hexen im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert, im Zweiten widmet sie sich der Verfolgung von Hexen in der neueren Zeit und im dritten Abschnitt zwei Hexenprozessen von heute. Ihr gelingt es dabei, die Gegebenheiten der verschiedenen Prozesse erlebbar zu machen und verdeutlicht, wie internalisierter Frauenhass, Rassismus, Kolonialismus und die Gier nach Macht Hexenverfolgungen wesentlich beeinflussten. Gerade bei den Hexenprozessen im Mittelalter war ich oft schockiert ob der Willkür, die damals im Rechtssystem herrschte und der fadenscheinigen Anklagen, die häufig zu Folter und Mord führten. Aber auch die Hexenprozesse im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert entbehrten meist jeglicher Logik. Spannend fand ich, dass Gibson ganz verschiedene Konstellationen beschreibt, die zu Hexenprozessen führten - die Gerichtsverfahren selbst und die massive Gewalt an Frauen ähneln sich jedoch immer. Vor allem durch die letzten beiden Kapitel, unter anderem über Stormy Daniels, zeigt die Autorin die Relevanz auf, die auch oder gerade heute noch in dem Wissen um Hexen(prozesse) liegt. Ich denke, ein paar Kapitel weniger, um den Fokus mehr auf bestimmte Hexenverfolgungen zu legen, hätten dem Sachbuch gut getan, insgesamt war es mir mit fast 500 Seiten deutlich zu umfangreich. Auch habe ich innerhalb der Prozesse eine gewisse Struktur vermisst, jedes der Kapitel umfasst rund 40 Seiten, weshalb mir das Dranbleiben manchmal schwer fiel. Wer sich für Hexen und historische Sachbücher interessiert, sollte sich Marion Gibsons Buch aber nicht entgehen lassen!
February 27, 2024
"For the fortunate, a witch-hunt is just a metaphor - but this history should make clear how many witches are still on trial."
This was a very well done piece of combined sociology and history, with a bit of witchcraft scholarship in there too.
I listened to the audiobook, which I found both brief and extremely engaging, so where others found the material dry or slow I found nothing of the sort.
Gibson has analyzed as far back as the late 1400s in Austria, as far afield geographically as Uganda and Indonesia, and a wide range of individuals, from village healers to adult film stars in the contemporary USA. While at times Gibson's tone seemed a little iffy, critical of the actual beliefs involved in modern day self-proclaimed witchcraft, she rightly observed the utter wrongness instilled in these historical "trials". Based on gossip, ill intent, made for want of attention or sometimes even material gain, the witchcraft allegations carefully detailed in this book were all unjust, systemic crimes most often perpetrated by wealthy, upper class and otherwise socially powerful villains.
The scholarship on display here was excellent, to me at least, as a modern witch. I love that Gibson began the book by reprimanding the polarity, the small-minded binary thinking involved in witch hunts: if one is different in some way, be it belief systems, physical condition, social class, or otherwise stepping outside of the "normal" circle, they're evil. She also drew a fascinating parallel between medieval clergy and modern incels: celibate men who denounce female individualism and sexuality, but are nonetheless intrigued by and obsessed with the same concepts.
This was very gratifyingly not western Eurocentric, nor wholly centering white stories. The long-ago trial that involved an innocent Sami, an Indigenous herder from northern Scandinavia, enraged me, but I am glad her story was told. The same goes for the discussions of actual witch hunts across modern-day African nations, which are alarmingly frequent as well as violent. Gibson made a point to explain how the Indigenous slave at the center of Salem's trials, has been likely misnamed this whole time - Tatabe, not Tituba. I also had no idea Canada had preserved code in its laws inherited from its British commonwealth origins that punished practice of witchcraft, even simple tarot readers or fortune tellers, until 2018! And the final analysis of Stormy Daniels' vilification in American right-wing media was fascinating; I had no idea she was involved in ghost hunting and Pagan practices.
Narrator Rose Akroyd had a pleasant English accent that elevated the listening experience, too. I could write an essay on the informative and engaging content herein, but suffice it to say I very much enjoyed this book, and recommend for anyone interested in what it covers.
This was a very well done piece of combined sociology and history, with a bit of witchcraft scholarship in there too.
I listened to the audiobook, which I found both brief and extremely engaging, so where others found the material dry or slow I found nothing of the sort.
Gibson has analyzed as far back as the late 1400s in Austria, as far afield geographically as Uganda and Indonesia, and a wide range of individuals, from village healers to adult film stars in the contemporary USA. While at times Gibson's tone seemed a little iffy, critical of the actual beliefs involved in modern day self-proclaimed witchcraft, she rightly observed the utter wrongness instilled in these historical "trials". Based on gossip, ill intent, made for want of attention or sometimes even material gain, the witchcraft allegations carefully detailed in this book were all unjust, systemic crimes most often perpetrated by wealthy, upper class and otherwise socially powerful villains.
The scholarship on display here was excellent, to me at least, as a modern witch. I love that Gibson began the book by reprimanding the polarity, the small-minded binary thinking involved in witch hunts: if one is different in some way, be it belief systems, physical condition, social class, or otherwise stepping outside of the "normal" circle, they're evil. She also drew a fascinating parallel between medieval clergy and modern incels: celibate men who denounce female individualism and sexuality, but are nonetheless intrigued by and obsessed with the same concepts.
This was very gratifyingly not western Eurocentric, nor wholly centering white stories. The long-ago trial that involved an innocent Sami, an Indigenous herder from northern Scandinavia, enraged me, but I am glad her story was told. The same goes for the discussions of actual witch hunts across modern-day African nations, which are alarmingly frequent as well as violent. Gibson made a point to explain how the Indigenous slave at the center of Salem's trials, has been likely misnamed this whole time - Tatabe, not Tituba. I also had no idea Canada had preserved code in its laws inherited from its British commonwealth origins that punished practice of witchcraft, even simple tarot readers or fortune tellers, until 2018! And the final analysis of Stormy Daniels' vilification in American right-wing media was fascinating; I had no idea she was involved in ghost hunting and Pagan practices.
Narrator Rose Akroyd had a pleasant English accent that elevated the listening experience, too. I could write an essay on the informative and engaging content herein, but suffice it to say I very much enjoyed this book, and recommend for anyone interested in what it covers.
November 6, 2025
3☆
The thirteen witch trials explored in Gibson's books are very well researched and explained. The perspective Gibson took is accurate but it also is lacking.
Gibson is correct in defining witches as people, mostly women, who posed a threat to the established order of a society. Women who were independent, strong willed, intelligent, learned, comfortable in their sexuality; and/or unmarried, poor, disabled, and of an ethnic minority were Witches. I agree with all of Gibson's definition; however, most of the women also possessed knowledge of healing, herbalism and midwifery. They had knowledge of and about matters that men did not. And, that made them dangerous to the misogynistic, Christian norm. A threat. It wasn't because these women were in league with the devil. As Gibson points out numerous times, the women held their faith in God strongly.
For me to be a Witch is to be a healer, teacher, learner, giver, truth seeker and protector of all things good. I walk my path in honesty, honor, integrity and light. I use my knowledge of healing, herbalism and the natural world to provide a sense of peace for all who come to me. That is my expanded definition of what it means to be a Witch.
I recommend this book for it's well researched history. There are several footnotes. The last few chapters were not what I expected, and in my opinion they cheapened the overall impact of the strong previous chapters.
The thirteen witch trials explored in Gibson's books are very well researched and explained. The perspective Gibson took is accurate but it also is lacking.
Gibson is correct in defining witches as people, mostly women, who posed a threat to the established order of a society. Women who were independent, strong willed, intelligent, learned, comfortable in their sexuality; and/or unmarried, poor, disabled, and of an ethnic minority were Witches. I agree with all of Gibson's definition; however, most of the women also possessed knowledge of healing, herbalism and midwifery. They had knowledge of and about matters that men did not. And, that made them dangerous to the misogynistic, Christian norm. A threat. It wasn't because these women were in league with the devil. As Gibson points out numerous times, the women held their faith in God strongly.
For me to be a Witch is to be a healer, teacher, learner, giver, truth seeker and protector of all things good. I walk my path in honesty, honor, integrity and light. I use my knowledge of healing, herbalism and the natural world to provide a sense of peace for all who come to me. That is my expanded definition of what it means to be a Witch.
I recommend this book for it's well researched history. There are several footnotes. The last few chapters were not what I expected, and in my opinion they cheapened the overall impact of the strong previous chapters.
November 7, 2024
“Los trece juicios de este libro nos han mostrado que el juicio de bruja fue una herramienta diseñada por los demonólogos para dañar y silenciar a los que se percibían como enemigos, una manera literal de etiquetar a grupos marginalizados como demoníacos con el propósito de perseguirlos.”
Un libro de no ficción muy interesante de casos de brujería no tan conocidos que llegaron a los tribunales en distintas partes del mundo y en distintos momentos de la historia.
Especialmente interesante la época actual y los casos de algunos países de África en los que aún pasan cosas que te ponen los pelos de punta.
Está bien documentado y es interesante. Trae algunas fotografías. No todos los casos acaban en condena. Interesante conocer también a unos cuantos cazadores de brujas.
(4/5)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ¡muy recomendable!
Un libro de no ficción muy interesante de casos de brujería no tan conocidos que llegaron a los tribunales en distintas partes del mundo y en distintos momentos de la historia.
Especialmente interesante la época actual y los casos de algunos países de África en los que aún pasan cosas que te ponen los pelos de punta.
Está bien documentado y es interesante. Trae algunas fotografías. No todos los casos acaban en condena. Interesante conocer también a unos cuantos cazadores de brujas.
(4/5)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ¡muy recomendable!
August 10, 2024
Wow! Für alle, die an den historischen Hexenprozessen und deren Entstehungen interessiert sind, neben dem Hexenhammer ein MUSS!
Greift auch Hexenprozesse der aktuellen Zeit auf.
Greift auch Hexenprozesse der aktuellen Zeit auf.
October 27, 2025
I thought the first half of this book was a little stronger than the second, but overall, I think this is the best non-fiction book I've read about witch trials so far.
February 25, 2024
Not entertaining enough to be pop history (but it is trying to be). Not historically researched enough to be a useful history text. Leans heavily into sociological/political ideas (but not well) as this is also not where the author excels. But if you align with the author’s views then probably you will enjoy the “insights”. It wasn’t what I was looking for in a book with “a history” in the title.
October 20, 2023
You would think it would be impossible to take such fascinating stories and make them utterly boring, but this book manages to do just that. There is a distinct lack of storytelling, and it reads like one long academic study. After about 40% I had to skim read the rest. Also, the final chapter about Stormy Daniels was just absurd and had no place with the rest of the stories.
Read
January 2, 2025een heel leerzaam boek over verschillende heksenprocessen. veeel bredere verhalen dan alleen ‘de brandstapel’. ik heb het boek af en toe geluisterd, omdat ik niet altijd zin heb in non-fictie. zeker een aanrader!
October 29, 2024
This was tough to get through in the beginning but once it got going I enjoyed it.
Had to take breaks in between because it was intense in some parts.. especially describing how the women were tortured:(.
Hats off to the author for doing her research 👏 It clearly shows and you can tell she's passionate about it.
Alot of this was new to me. Partly with more details in the different cases and the other was ones I honestly didn't know happened ( one in my home state).
I hope those people had to be judged in front of the people they hurt when they got up to the Pearly gates and got a spiritual kick in the behind.
I was sad and angry how they were treated. Hopefully they rested in peace and if they were reincarnated, had better lives afterwards.
The last chapter... I couldn't listen to, tried for a couple minutes but nope. I get that she was going for modern witch hunts from what I did listen to (which can be interesting if done well) but it mentions a certain current political candidate and I don't want to read about him... at all.
Maybe years and years down the road, but as of now.. h$ll 👎 no!
Fair warnings if you have the same thinking I do.
Otherwise, this as a fascinating book 📖 and would be good material for a college course or the like. The discussions would probably Something to listen to.
Would I recommend? Yes.. the writing ✍️ will be hit or miss with people but I'd say give a fair chance.:)
Had to take breaks in between because it was intense in some parts.. especially describing how the women were tortured:(.
Hats off to the author for doing her research 👏 It clearly shows and you can tell she's passionate about it.
Alot of this was new to me. Partly with more details in the different cases and the other was ones I honestly didn't know happened ( one in my home state).
I hope those people had to be judged in front of the people they hurt when they got up to the Pearly gates and got a spiritual kick in the behind.
I was sad and angry how they were treated. Hopefully they rested in peace and if they were reincarnated, had better lives afterwards.
The last chapter... I couldn't listen to, tried for a couple minutes but nope. I get that she was going for modern witch hunts from what I did listen to (which can be interesting if done well) but it mentions a certain current political candidate and I don't want to read about him... at all.
Maybe years and years down the road, but as of now.. h$ll 👎 no!
Fair warnings if you have the same thinking I do.
Otherwise, this as a fascinating book 📖 and would be good material for a college course or the like. The discussions would probably Something to listen to.
Would I recommend? Yes.. the writing ✍️ will be hit or miss with people but I'd say give a fair chance.:)
January 29, 2024
When you think of witch hunts, for most people, Salem, Massachusetts comes to mind. But what “Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials” by Marion Gibson introduces is the horrifying persecution of “witches” across the globe; in England, South Africa, Denmark and France, to name a few. Gibson discusses witchcraft as a societal convention, used as punishment by a patriarchal society to consequence people (mostly women) who did not fit into “typical” standards.
Every one of Gibson’s thirteen trials was new to me. Most of them featured women, sometimes more than one, but there were also incidences of men being tried and even one disabled woman. Although it seems historical, Gibson’s cases span from the eighteenth century, to as recent as 2021. Religion plays a key role of course, as the “witch trial” phenomenon came hot on the heels of the introductions of the Anglican and Catholic religious practices, when going against popular belief labeled you in league with the Devil himself.
Each chapter features one trial from one part of the globe, in chronological order. In the most recent trials of the 21st century, Gibson explores the term “witch hunt” and its uses in modern society, as well as the Wiccan religion and other pagan practices, as opposed to more specific legal trials of practicing witches. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning chapters of this novel, where “wayward” women were charged with practicing witchcraft, as opposed to the latter chapters which, although relevant, seemed more of a social commentary.
Marion is quite clearly very educated on the topic and her book is well-researched, as much as it can be with stories going back long before records were kept. “Witchcraft” is an intriguing collection of women (and men) throughout the ages who were labeled “witches” for their alliances, practices or plain naivete and ignorance. Gibson mentions Salem of course, as a comparison, but none of her stories feature the Massachusetts town, and I was grateful to learn about others throughout the world who have suffered the same fate.
Through “Witchcraft”, I was able to discover similar novels which will now be added to my TBR list. Gibson’s novel is extremely engaging in places, and not so in others, depending on your area of interest in the subject matter. Either way, it was a thought-provoking and informative read and will appeal to anyone seeking more information on witch trials and the influence of religion, gender and affluence on the process itself.
Every one of Gibson’s thirteen trials was new to me. Most of them featured women, sometimes more than one, but there were also incidences of men being tried and even one disabled woman. Although it seems historical, Gibson’s cases span from the eighteenth century, to as recent as 2021. Religion plays a key role of course, as the “witch trial” phenomenon came hot on the heels of the introductions of the Anglican and Catholic religious practices, when going against popular belief labeled you in league with the Devil himself.
Each chapter features one trial from one part of the globe, in chronological order. In the most recent trials of the 21st century, Gibson explores the term “witch hunt” and its uses in modern society, as well as the Wiccan religion and other pagan practices, as opposed to more specific legal trials of practicing witches. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning chapters of this novel, where “wayward” women were charged with practicing witchcraft, as opposed to the latter chapters which, although relevant, seemed more of a social commentary.
Marion is quite clearly very educated on the topic and her book is well-researched, as much as it can be with stories going back long before records were kept. “Witchcraft” is an intriguing collection of women (and men) throughout the ages who were labeled “witches” for their alliances, practices or plain naivete and ignorance. Gibson mentions Salem of course, as a comparison, but none of her stories feature the Massachusetts town, and I was grateful to learn about others throughout the world who have suffered the same fate.
Through “Witchcraft”, I was able to discover similar novels which will now be added to my TBR list. Gibson’s novel is extremely engaging in places, and not so in others, depending on your area of interest in the subject matter. Either way, it was a thought-provoking and informative read and will appeal to anyone seeking more information on witch trials and the influence of religion, gender and affluence on the process itself.
July 20, 2023
3.5 stars
This pretty much does what it says on the tin - it's a history of witchcraft by examining thirteen trials. Gibson looks at why people believed in witchcraft and why they persecuted 'witches.' Who was at risk of being labelled a witch, why, and what that meant for their society at the time. Gibson begins this examination by looking back at history, and examining this notion in the historical context, but she then brings it to the present day, to show that witches and witch hunts are still in existence.
This pretty much does what it says on the tin - it's a history of witchcraft by examining thirteen trials. Gibson looks at why people believed in witchcraft and why they persecuted 'witches.' Who was at risk of being labelled a witch, why, and what that meant for their society at the time. Gibson begins this examination by looking back at history, and examining this notion in the historical context, but she then brings it to the present day, to show that witches and witch hunts are still in existence.
Read
June 21, 2024no rating bc i half-listened to this while playing overwatch :D
but this was pretty interesting and provided important information about why each witch trial happened and the direct or indirect consequences on subsequent trials, perceptions of witches, etc.
જ⁀➴ 🐈┊pre-read:
listening to this on audio while i wait for my 397441 holds from the library
but this was pretty interesting and provided important information about why each witch trial happened and the direct or indirect consequences on subsequent trials, perceptions of witches, etc.
જ⁀➴ 🐈┊pre-read:
listening to this on audio while i wait for my 397441 holds from the library
April 18, 2024
Always a sucker for witch books!
November 27, 2024
Interessant om te lezen hoe Witch trials door de eeuwen heen weinig veranderd zijn... en ongelooflijk dat het nu nog steeds gebeurd.. Zoals Malcolm Gaskill zegt: " not just a story of witchcraft, but a cautionary tale of the uncomfortably human habit of paranoia and persecution"
November 25, 2023
Should further incentive be necessary to read this informative and engaging book, the author is a professor at Exeter University specialising in Magical Literature. How very wonderful..
One of the reasons this succeeds where many have failed is by giving its attention to the lives of the women on trial rather than the men who sought to kill them. Gibson not only examines the trials, but also explores the historical context that led to them, how and why they occurred. Regardless of what society would think today at the time they were grounded in some sort of reasoning. The trials are in chronological order and from all around the world, beginning with the Malleus Maleficarum and finishing with Trump's allegations against the Clintons and QAnon. She writes in her afterword..
We might not like much of it, but it is perseptive insight into some of the most savage and inhuman moments in history.
One of the reasons this succeeds where many have failed is by giving its attention to the lives of the women on trial rather than the men who sought to kill them. Gibson not only examines the trials, but also explores the historical context that led to them, how and why they occurred. Regardless of what society would think today at the time they were grounded in some sort of reasoning. The trials are in chronological order and from all around the world, beginning with the Malleus Maleficarum and finishing with Trump's allegations against the Clintons and QAnon. She writes in her afterword..
Demonology blurs the lines between witch and witch-hunter. These thirteen trials show how to spot the difference.
We might not like much of it, but it is perseptive insight into some of the most savage and inhuman moments in history.
November 5, 2023
What a phenomenal book! It looks with kindness and an open mind at the lives of people persecuted as witched, and a righteous and factual fury at witch hunters and the societies that foster the persecution of the other. Superbly done!
April 27, 2025
Interessant en vlot geschreven, maar ik mis diepgang die er zonder de onnodige actualisering en de Angelsaksische focus misschien wel was geweest.
July 24, 2024
3 stars
Needing books on the country Lesotho, I was at a disadvantage. My library system only had two and this one had one very short chapter on Lesotho basically attesting to British colonial authorities executing local leaders for being witches and for encouraging witchcraft, in 1948. It was told in story format but was not especially good or well written.
Needing books on the country Lesotho, I was at a disadvantage. My library system only had two and this one had one very short chapter on Lesotho basically attesting to British colonial authorities executing local leaders for being witches and for encouraging witchcraft, in 1948. It was told in story format but was not especially good or well written.
November 2, 2024
3.5 stars
June 22, 2024
I don’t think I’m as enthralled with this book as I thought I’d be.
May 7, 2024
I won this in a giveaway
This book was a STRUGGGGLEEEE to get through!! I feel bad giving it 2 stars, but I was quite bored reading it, taking me close to two months to read (I generally read a book in 3-5 days).
What I did like about this book- the author was very knowledgeable and had a lot of facts, dates and was overall informative. I had only heard of the Salem trials, so there was a lot of new information for me to absorb and digest. Unfortunately, I felt the information was given to us in a textbook fashion, which again, made it rather boring for me. I did like how she would go into the backstory/history of the ones being accused, it gave you more of a perspective of where they were in life and how things were for them in that time.
I also appreciated the images at the end, which to me, makes it more real (obviously it is, but putting a face to names instills it more for me?)
I'll leave all my actual feelings about the witch trials out of this, because I will indeed go into a tangent, and this is not a review about these feelings.
This book was a STRUGGGGLEEEE to get through!! I feel bad giving it 2 stars, but I was quite bored reading it, taking me close to two months to read (I generally read a book in 3-5 days).
What I did like about this book- the author was very knowledgeable and had a lot of facts, dates and was overall informative. I had only heard of the Salem trials, so there was a lot of new information for me to absorb and digest. Unfortunately, I felt the information was given to us in a textbook fashion, which again, made it rather boring for me. I did like how she would go into the backstory/history of the ones being accused, it gave you more of a perspective of where they were in life and how things were for them in that time.
I also appreciated the images at the end, which to me, makes it more real (obviously it is, but putting a face to names instills it more for me?)
I'll leave all my actual feelings about the witch trials out of this, because I will indeed go into a tangent, and this is not a review about these feelings.
September 19, 2025
3.5
now this is what i wanted from a nonfiction witch trial book!
this book recounts the witch trials of several people throughout history and across the globe, which i found especially interesting—the most i hear about witch trials history is definitely within new england US and the UK, and it’s important to remember that it occurred in countless other places.
super interesting people and incredibly remarkable and heart-wrenching stories. i just wish the stories were told in a more intriguing way, as they all felt pretty cut and paste. i think i’d like to do my own personal deep-dives into some of the individuals in this book to gain a better understanding, but this book is a great introduction to some of history’s forgotten witch trial victims.
tl;dr: fuck the witch trials, everyone should read up on them more thoroughly
now this is what i wanted from a nonfiction witch trial book!
this book recounts the witch trials of several people throughout history and across the globe, which i found especially interesting—the most i hear about witch trials history is definitely within new england US and the UK, and it’s important to remember that it occurred in countless other places.
super interesting people and incredibly remarkable and heart-wrenching stories. i just wish the stories were told in a more intriguing way, as they all felt pretty cut and paste. i think i’d like to do my own personal deep-dives into some of the individuals in this book to gain a better understanding, but this book is a great introduction to some of history’s forgotten witch trial victims.
tl;dr: fuck the witch trials, everyone should read up on them more thoroughly
October 4, 2025
I didn't get a history of witchcraft, or the development of ideas about witchcraft, so much as cherry-picked historical trials with the author making speculations on the political motivations, reflecting her own politics.
Per the author, in the 15-17th centuries, witchcraft was used to place blame for things going badly and a political strategy for many, from kings to religious leaders.
What was kind of interesting was how the "trials" shifted in the 19th century from accusing people of witchcraft to accusing people of being con artists, pretending to practice witchcraft for money.
Some of the stories seemed intriguing but were not told in a compelling way.
Per the author, in the 15-17th centuries, witchcraft was used to place blame for things going badly and a political strategy for many, from kings to religious leaders.
What was kind of interesting was how the "trials" shifted in the 19th century from accusing people of witchcraft to accusing people of being con artists, pretending to practice witchcraft for money.
Some of the stories seemed intriguing but were not told in a compelling way.
December 23, 2024
Withccraft: A History in Thirteen Trials by Marion Gibson
Audio Version
Overall Grade: B
Information: B
Writing/Organization: B
Narration: B
Best Aspect: Broken down well with interesting facts.
Worst Aspect: The hardcover book was not as engaging as the audio so I am glad I switched. Parts were way too long.
Recommend: Yes.
Audio Version
Overall Grade: B
Information: B
Writing/Organization: B
Narration: B
Best Aspect: Broken down well with interesting facts.
Worst Aspect: The hardcover book was not as engaging as the audio so I am glad I switched. Parts were way too long.
Recommend: Yes.
June 12, 2024
Entertaining and informative, really enjoyed how Gibson presented each of the trials. Two of the thirteen trials fell a bit short compared to the others, but collectively, well-written and strong <3
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