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Pivotal Moments in American History
A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience
Beginning in January 1692, Salem Village in colonial Massachusetts witnessed the largest and most lethal outbreak of witchcraft in early America. Villagers--mainly young women--suffered from unseen torments that caused them to writhe, shriek, and contort their bodies, complaining of pins stuck into their flesh and of being haunted by specters. Believing that they suffered from assaults by an invisible spirit, the community began a hunt to track down those responsible for the demonic work. The resulting Salem Witch Trials, culminating in the execution of 19 villagers, persists as one of the most mysterious and fascinating events in American history.
Historians have speculated on a web of possible causes for the witchcraft that stated in Salem and spread across the region-religious crisis, ergot poisoning, an encephalitis outbreak, frontier war hysteria--but most agree that there was no single factor. Rather, as Emerson Baker illustrates in this seminal new work, Salem was "a perfect storm": a unique convergence of conditions and events that produced something extraordinary throughout New England in 1692 and the following years, and which has haunted us ever since.
Baker shows how a range of factors in the Bay colony in the 1690s, including a new charter and government, a lethal frontier war, and religious and political conflicts, set the stage for the dramatic events in Salem. Engaging a range of perspectives, he looks at the key players in the outbreak--the accused witches and the people they allegedly bewitched, as well as the judges and government officials who prosecuted them--and wrestles with questions about why the Salem tragedy unfolded as it did, and why it has become an enduring legacy.
Salem in 1692 was a critical moment for the fading Puritan government of Massachusetts Bay, whose attempts to suppress the story of the trials and erase them from memory only fueled the popular imagination. Baker argues that the trials marked a turning point in colonial history from Puritan communalism to Yankee independence, from faith in collective conscience to skepticism toward moral governance. A brilliantly told tale, A Storm of Witchcraft also puts Salem's storm into its broader context as a part of the ongoing narrative of American history and the history of the Atlantic World.
Historians have speculated on a web of possible causes for the witchcraft that stated in Salem and spread across the region-religious crisis, ergot poisoning, an encephalitis outbreak, frontier war hysteria--but most agree that there was no single factor. Rather, as Emerson Baker illustrates in this seminal new work, Salem was "a perfect storm": a unique convergence of conditions and events that produced something extraordinary throughout New England in 1692 and the following years, and which has haunted us ever since.
Baker shows how a range of factors in the Bay colony in the 1690s, including a new charter and government, a lethal frontier war, and religious and political conflicts, set the stage for the dramatic events in Salem. Engaging a range of perspectives, he looks at the key players in the outbreak--the accused witches and the people they allegedly bewitched, as well as the judges and government officials who prosecuted them--and wrestles with questions about why the Salem tragedy unfolded as it did, and why it has become an enduring legacy.
Salem in 1692 was a critical moment for the fading Puritan government of Massachusetts Bay, whose attempts to suppress the story of the trials and erase them from memory only fueled the popular imagination. Baker argues that the trials marked a turning point in colonial history from Puritan communalism to Yankee independence, from faith in collective conscience to skepticism toward moral governance. A brilliantly told tale, A Storm of Witchcraft also puts Salem's storm into its broader context as a part of the ongoing narrative of American history and the history of the Atlantic World.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
459 people are currently reading
6209 people want to read
About the author
Emerson W. Baker
5 books29 followersA specialist in the history of 17th century Maine, Emerson "Tad" Baker II is a historical archaeologist and professor of history at Salem State University. He is well known in academic circles for his extensive work on witchcraft in Colonial America, as well as for his work on numerous archaeological sites along the East Coast of the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
July 7, 2024
This is probably the best history of the trials I have seen. It is ambitious in its quest to examine the accusers, accused, and judges through several lenses. These include the traditional religious and political, as well as socio-economic and psychological considerations. This was not an easy read, and for those who are looking for a quick fix or a sensational story, you would do better to look elsewhere. However, for those who are truly seeking to understand, this book is worth your efforts.
In reading other reviews that expressed their belief that we had left behind superstition and fear, and we are now free of the dangers that came out in Salem 300 years ago, I was saddened to realize that readers had missed Dr. Baker's final, and perhaps most important point. He finished his work with the following: "Americans today gaze back at the people of 1692 as a foolish, superstitious, and intolerant lot. How could they have possibly executed nineteen people as witches? Yet that is to dismiss the figure in the mirror..."
As long as we allow fear, intolerance, and yes, superstitions, to dictate our choices, we are still repeating the mistakes of the past.
In reading other reviews that expressed their belief that we had left behind superstition and fear, and we are now free of the dangers that came out in Salem 300 years ago, I was saddened to realize that readers had missed Dr. Baker's final, and perhaps most important point. He finished his work with the following: "Americans today gaze back at the people of 1692 as a foolish, superstitious, and intolerant lot. How could they have possibly executed nineteen people as witches? Yet that is to dismiss the figure in the mirror..."
As long as we allow fear, intolerance, and yes, superstitions, to dictate our choices, we are still repeating the mistakes of the past.
October 12, 2015
Another great book about the Salem Witch Trials. This one is one of the better one's I have read. Loaded with facts and really detailed time line of what happened. I enjoyed this as this time period has always fascinates me.
April 5, 2015
Emerson Baker tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials giving background of the political situation, the process, victims, the accusers, the judges and the aftermath. The end covers the images of Salem and witchcraft in literature and popular culture.
The author notes that while Salem has become synonymous with witch hunts, its 19 deaths pale before the fifty thousand put to death for it in Europe and America between 1400 and 1775. In Cologne alone, over 2,000 “witches” were executed in a 10 year period. Salem witch hunts come at the end of this "age" of witch hunting. In the US, they usher in the demise of the social position and political power of the Puritans
Baker describes a few theories about why it happened in Salem at this time. He believes it resulted from a “perfect storm” of social and political conditions and personalities. One element was a costly war against the alliance of the French and Indians. Another was that areas within its charter were seeking to break away and form their own municipalities. Higher taxes had to be paid in poor crop years. The center of social life in the community, the Puritan church, produced a depressing stream of rhetoric. The leaders of the church in Salem had contentious personalities making it even more difficult to recruit its pastor. The man they were able to recruit did not have the leadership skills required for the job.
The symptoms that the accusers attributed to witchcraft may be what has since come to be known as “conversion disorder”. Death, illness, poverty, lack of stable relationships can bring on twitching, spasms, stuttering and lack of control for instance a chin jutting out or head jerking. One documented outbreak (2011-2012) was in Le Roy NY where poverty and population decline joined with family problems that may have brought on these symptoms in young girls.
Most interesting to me were the character portraits of those involved. Little is known of the women, who were most of both accusers and victims. Rev. Samuel Parris led a fascinating, but miserable life. The three generations of Mather’s are astounding for their audacity. Thomas Maule is a name that should not be lost to history.
The end is a narrative on the history of Salem how it has fared as a city and its familiar imagery in literature and films. While it is a clear description on how Salem’s image evolved, it does not explain “Why Salem?” and “Why not Cologne?”.
This is a very thorough treatment. While it is readable there are pages that read like a reference book of isolated entries. The index is very helpful and at the end there are charts of the accused and their fate in Essex County MA. I recommend this for those interested in this topic.
The author notes that while Salem has become synonymous with witch hunts, its 19 deaths pale before the fifty thousand put to death for it in Europe and America between 1400 and 1775. In Cologne alone, over 2,000 “witches” were executed in a 10 year period. Salem witch hunts come at the end of this "age" of witch hunting. In the US, they usher in the demise of the social position and political power of the Puritans
Baker describes a few theories about why it happened in Salem at this time. He believes it resulted from a “perfect storm” of social and political conditions and personalities. One element was a costly war against the alliance of the French and Indians. Another was that areas within its charter were seeking to break away and form their own municipalities. Higher taxes had to be paid in poor crop years. The center of social life in the community, the Puritan church, produced a depressing stream of rhetoric. The leaders of the church in Salem had contentious personalities making it even more difficult to recruit its pastor. The man they were able to recruit did not have the leadership skills required for the job.
The symptoms that the accusers attributed to witchcraft may be what has since come to be known as “conversion disorder”. Death, illness, poverty, lack of stable relationships can bring on twitching, spasms, stuttering and lack of control for instance a chin jutting out or head jerking. One documented outbreak (2011-2012) was in Le Roy NY where poverty and population decline joined with family problems that may have brought on these symptoms in young girls.
Most interesting to me were the character portraits of those involved. Little is known of the women, who were most of both accusers and victims. Rev. Samuel Parris led a fascinating, but miserable life. The three generations of Mather’s are astounding for their audacity. Thomas Maule is a name that should not be lost to history.
The end is a narrative on the history of Salem how it has fared as a city and its familiar imagery in literature and films. While it is a clear description on how Salem’s image evolved, it does not explain “Why Salem?” and “Why not Cologne?”.
This is a very thorough treatment. While it is readable there are pages that read like a reference book of isolated entries. The index is very helpful and at the end there are charts of the accused and their fate in Essex County MA. I recommend this for those interested in this topic.
March 19, 2015
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
Like most American students, I learned about the Salem witch trials not though actual history class, but by reading a book. I wish I could say it was the Crucible by Arthur Miller that I read at such a young age but understood anyway.
Nope, it was the Witch of Blackbird Pond.
You haven’t read it. Shame on you.
I also have vague, very vague memories of visiting Salem before reading the book, but there are so vague, I mostly just remember my father and my uncle talking.
Like most students, I eventually learned more, though I can’t remember a time when they actually taught the witch trials, but learned about I eventually did. Then comes high school and the witch trials because McCarthyism. But then curiosity takes hold and you want to know about the actual history. So you start reading various theories, various books, and realize –
Well, you realize many things. The past is at times, most of the time even, impossible to understand. Undoubtedly a reason why so many books are being written.
A Storm of Witchcraft presents the story of the Salem Witchcraft trials not only in historical context but Baker also looks at the impact the trials had, not just on the immediate society, but in New England as well as the American Revolution.
Baker starts with the historical background of the colony and village, showcasing how not only the immediate makeup the village contributed to the trials but also other, more insidious, forces did. Perhaps it wasn’t the devil as the villagers saw him, but a form of the devil in the push and pull that eventually lead up to the trials.
For much of the book, Baker’s language and writing is enough to carry the reader, though there are times when the reader flags – usually when discussions about how a town or village become its own entity (understandably needed information though), but overly the tone is engaging. Baker’s detailed analysis of time and place allows him to suggest other reasons then the most commonly heard ones. He looks at hysteria (and uses modern cases in comparison) and the suggestion of possible sexual assault. He also details Salem’s history with pastors and other religious men. He offers a good view of the “interrogations” that led to some of the confessions, showcasing how it was more than a simple questioning, even if questioning is all that occurred. In many ways, Baker makes a solid claim that Salem should be looked at as more than an allegorical device for Arthur Miller. He goes a good way to reclaiming the history for the country.
Like most American students, I learned about the Salem witch trials not though actual history class, but by reading a book. I wish I could say it was the Crucible by Arthur Miller that I read at such a young age but understood anyway.
Nope, it was the Witch of Blackbird Pond.
You haven’t read it. Shame on you.
I also have vague, very vague memories of visiting Salem before reading the book, but there are so vague, I mostly just remember my father and my uncle talking.
Like most students, I eventually learned more, though I can’t remember a time when they actually taught the witch trials, but learned about I eventually did. Then comes high school and the witch trials because McCarthyism. But then curiosity takes hold and you want to know about the actual history. So you start reading various theories, various books, and realize –
Well, you realize many things. The past is at times, most of the time even, impossible to understand. Undoubtedly a reason why so many books are being written.
A Storm of Witchcraft presents the story of the Salem Witchcraft trials not only in historical context but Baker also looks at the impact the trials had, not just on the immediate society, but in New England as well as the American Revolution.
Baker starts with the historical background of the colony and village, showcasing how not only the immediate makeup the village contributed to the trials but also other, more insidious, forces did. Perhaps it wasn’t the devil as the villagers saw him, but a form of the devil in the push and pull that eventually lead up to the trials.
For much of the book, Baker’s language and writing is enough to carry the reader, though there are times when the reader flags – usually when discussions about how a town or village become its own entity (understandably needed information though), but overly the tone is engaging. Baker’s detailed analysis of time and place allows him to suggest other reasons then the most commonly heard ones. He looks at hysteria (and uses modern cases in comparison) and the suggestion of possible sexual assault. He also details Salem’s history with pastors and other religious men. He offers a good view of the “interrogations” that led to some of the confessions, showcasing how it was more than a simple questioning, even if questioning is all that occurred. In many ways, Baker makes a solid claim that Salem should be looked at as more than an allegorical device for Arthur Miller. He goes a good way to reclaiming the history for the country.
March 5, 2021
I really love this book, first because it is packed full with beautifully researched information and analysis about one of New England's most notorious events, last because it is immensely readable and relatable to events of today, with much in between. The storm which caused the 1692 disaster is complex, and Mr. Baker does a superior job of pulling out and looking at the forces which conspired to make a rather small witchcraft outbreak in the general scheme of world history so intense and so unforgettable. Squabbling neighbors, financial devastation, wars on the frontier ( Maine and Central Massachusetts) which caused frightening episodes of social insecurity and PTSD, an unqualified and opportunistic minister, fear of anyone who was a little different (tribal natives, the French, Catholics, and so on), a prevailing belief in the devil, and outright fraud, set the stage for this quake which allowed seemingly level headed judges and magistrates to upend the norms of British trial law. It took awhile to read this book because I read every word including the hundreds of chapter notes in the back of the book, the appendices, the acknowledgements. It is helpful to be somewhat familiar with the layout of New England in the piecing together of the information in the book. Indeed, everywhere you go from the top of the state of Maine, through coastal Massachusetts north to south, and out to the frontier of central Mass. and beyond, you run into names on buildings, on streets, parks, cities and towns from that far away time. If you like detail and you appreciate that history tends to reverberate down the ages, this may be the Salem witchcraft era book for you. It is both satisfying and uosetting to realize that the nature of delusion hasn't changed much.
October 13, 2014
I love reading about American History. I haven't read as much about the Salem Witch Trials as I would like, which is why I decided to read this. I knew the basics about the Witch Trials, but now I know more than I thought I even needed to know. The book was very interesting and well-written. I found the beginning of the book a little confusing, but once I made it past the second chapter it was a lot easier to read. My problem with the book was that the first chapter felt like a summary, and the second chapter didn't feel as connected to Salem as I had hoped. I almost stopped reading because it seemed to be a history of New England, and it felt almost out of place. But once I made it past that, the chapters became more clear. It was obvious a lot of research went into this book. I like that the author would relate the events and psychological diagnosis to events today. I learned a lot more than I thought I would.
October 25, 2017
I ploughed and skimmed my was through this book which felt longer than it shold have. While I can appreciate the research the author did and can see his attempts and neat organization of facts, the truth remains that the writing is bland and I felt bored. Bored by something as interesting as Salem witch trials! Furthermore, aside from enjoyment I rate non-fiction books according to how much I have learned. Here, sadly, the book fails again. I retained very little information after reading it. There was too many names, too much repeated information.... one got lost quickly in all that.
Perhaps the book would do me better service had I previously had some notion about the Salem events, but unfortunatelly this was my first venture into the topic and not an encouraging one.
Perhaps the book would do me better service had I previously had some notion about the Salem events, but unfortunatelly this was my first venture into the topic and not an encouraging one.
May 3, 2015
Part of Oxford University's Pivotal Moments in History series, A Storm of Witchcraft focuses on how the Salem Witch Trials both shaped—and were shaped by—America's unique history.
Professor Emerson Baker argues there was no single cause of the witch hysteria that led to the death of 25 individuals (19 hanged for witchcraft, 1 pressed to death, 5 died while in prison), and the accusal of nearly 200 others. He suggests a "perfect storm" of social, political, economic, and religious factors. From a government in disarray, to the waning of puritanism, to the constant threat of the ongoing Indian Wars, to factionalism, Massachusetts was under siege—the devil was at hand.
Balanced, extremely well-researched, and highly readable, the book is an excellent account of what happened in Essex County and vicinity 323 years ago. Recommended for anyone interested in this brief but remarkable period, the repercussions of which continue to reverberate more than three centuries later.
Professor Emerson Baker argues there was no single cause of the witch hysteria that led to the death of 25 individuals (19 hanged for witchcraft, 1 pressed to death, 5 died while in prison), and the accusal of nearly 200 others. He suggests a "perfect storm" of social, political, economic, and religious factors. From a government in disarray, to the waning of puritanism, to the constant threat of the ongoing Indian Wars, to factionalism, Massachusetts was under siege—the devil was at hand.
Balanced, extremely well-researched, and highly readable, the book is an excellent account of what happened in Essex County and vicinity 323 years ago. Recommended for anyone interested in this brief but remarkable period, the repercussions of which continue to reverberate more than three centuries later.
December 5, 2024
I've been labouring away at this for months but have decided to leave it now as I'm not getting anywhere.
Baker is certainly thorough; every aspect is covered from the accusers to the victims to the judges but honestly, I just found this boring! Lists of names and dates and extracts of conversations and court records. Eugh.
I think I'm gonna leave the Salem Witch Trials well alone as I think they're one of those occurrences that while fascinating in historical theory, become much more mundane when written about and overly scrutinised.
Baker is certainly thorough; every aspect is covered from the accusers to the victims to the judges but honestly, I just found this boring! Lists of names and dates and extracts of conversations and court records. Eugh.
I think I'm gonna leave the Salem Witch Trials well alone as I think they're one of those occurrences that while fascinating in historical theory, become much more mundane when written about and overly scrutinised.
July 23, 2015
very thorough look at the salem witch trials - with close attention to the context at the time - where the accusers/accusees/judges lived, their church status, the town and colony politics, who was related to who, and the short and long term effects of the trials on american history. a very good reminder that even terrible murderous events can have good effects in the long run. pretty definitive synthesis of the records and literature on the trials. some parts of it were juicier and some parts were drier.
March 14, 2024
3.5 started our strong. Really slowed down about half way through. Final chapter was a great comeback. The thematic structure of the book was less compelling than a narrative structure would have been for me.
And I'm only slightly miffed that it didn't mention Hocus Pocus at the end when discussing other pop culture influences on Salem.
And I'm only slightly miffed that it didn't mention Hocus Pocus at the end when discussing other pop culture influences on Salem.
November 10, 2015
Life is too short to read a book you don't like. Made it halfway through but couldn't get past the language, too bad though because I really tried hard to enjoy this book.
August 22, 2016
Had potential to be interesting, but it just failed to pull me in. The writing style was too dry for me and I ended up skimming several sections that weren't holding my interest.
September 14, 2022
bad so bad
October 21, 2016
I picked this book up prior to a trip to Salem, and let me say it was absolutely the perfect read for that trip. It isn't a very long book; only 286 pages of actual reading material. But, it packs a lot within those pages. The structure of the book, in my opinion, is the perfect way to approach the hysteria. The first part of the book deals with the context of the establishment of the colony and the legal system of the time before giving a high-level overview of events between 1692-1693. Then there are chapters that deal separately with the accusers, the accused, and the judges before dealing with the legacy of the city and how locals have dealt with the stigma beginning with the surviving relatives through current day dilemmas.
I found the chapter dedicated to the judges to be the most fascinating because they are often simply set aside as ignorant, religious zealots. No doubt, there was an aspect of religious fervor contributed to these events. But, their history is complex and simultaneously explains some aspects or their behavior but, ultimately, leaves you with additional, interesting questions. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that they were actually highly educated for the time (actually the entire populace was highly literate since the Puritan philosophy encouraged individual study of the Bible), all of them were Harvard graduates with one completing a masters from Oxford, and had tremendous legal experience for the time. They actually, took part in an earlier less-deadly rash of witchcraft accusations in the area as legal clerks.
Further, the ramifications this event had on the development of what I will loosely call precedent for our current legal system was utterly fascinating. It was also the first official government cover up on this land as well as seeing the first victory in a case of freedom of the press and speech. This may also be the first case to promote anti-female views within the judicial system, as the author makes the case that prior to the hysteria women were often successful in pursuing sexual assault claims on their own within the court, but afterwards, without strong corroborating evidence, a woman's word alone would not result in justice. Plus, who knew ignoramus was a legal term?!
Finally, while most literary fans are aware of the connection between Judge Hathorne and Nathaniel Hawthorne, there were quite a few additional ones with which I was completely unfamiliar. Those include: Louisa May Alcott, Benjamin Franklin, and Clara Barton.
If you are interested in early American history or judicial history or just the phenomenon itself this is a MUST read!
I found the chapter dedicated to the judges to be the most fascinating because they are often simply set aside as ignorant, religious zealots. No doubt, there was an aspect of religious fervor contributed to these events. But, their history is complex and simultaneously explains some aspects or their behavior but, ultimately, leaves you with additional, interesting questions. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that they were actually highly educated for the time (actually the entire populace was highly literate since the Puritan philosophy encouraged individual study of the Bible), all of them were Harvard graduates with one completing a masters from Oxford, and had tremendous legal experience for the time. They actually, took part in an earlier less-deadly rash of witchcraft accusations in the area as legal clerks.
Further, the ramifications this event had on the development of what I will loosely call precedent for our current legal system was utterly fascinating. It was also the first official government cover up on this land as well as seeing the first victory in a case of freedom of the press and speech. This may also be the first case to promote anti-female views within the judicial system, as the author makes the case that prior to the hysteria women were often successful in pursuing sexual assault claims on their own within the court, but afterwards, without strong corroborating evidence, a woman's word alone would not result in justice. Plus, who knew ignoramus was a legal term?!
Finally, while most literary fans are aware of the connection between Judge Hathorne and Nathaniel Hawthorne, there were quite a few additional ones with which I was completely unfamiliar. Those include: Louisa May Alcott, Benjamin Franklin, and Clara Barton.
If you are interested in early American history or judicial history or just the phenomenon itself this is a MUST read!
October 30, 2017
Great complement to Stacy Schiff's The Witches: Salem, 1692
I first got into the subject matter via the inimitable Stacy Schiff, and wanted to see what this equally-lauded book was all about.
It’s great, but in a different way. Mrs. Schiff writes beautiful sentences, Emerson W. Baker comes from more of a ‘here are the facts’ approach. They’re both great, and both complement each other.
If I wanted to be an expert in the subject matter, I’d read Schiff’s first to get a grasp on the tale as a whole, and then read Baker’s more as a go-to reference.
Stay for the end where he makes an easy-to-read chart showing the fate of the accused, from Complaint to Restitution. It’s worth the price of admission in and of itself.
I first got into the subject matter via the inimitable Stacy Schiff, and wanted to see what this equally-lauded book was all about.
It’s great, but in a different way. Mrs. Schiff writes beautiful sentences, Emerson W. Baker comes from more of a ‘here are the facts’ approach. They’re both great, and both complement each other.
If I wanted to be an expert in the subject matter, I’d read Schiff’s first to get a grasp on the tale as a whole, and then read Baker’s more as a go-to reference.
Stay for the end where he makes an easy-to-read chart showing the fate of the accused, from Complaint to Restitution. It’s worth the price of admission in and of itself.
November 15, 2016
I read an earlier review of this book which mentioned that it was a bit too dry given the level of detail. This actually appealed to me as a reader, because there are so many books out there on the witch trials that skim the same surface material - if you're reading yet another book on this, aren't you looking for detail?
Personally, I found this to be a fascinating read because it is about all of the information surrounding the trials, not a blow-by-blow of the actual trials. There are a lot of common perceptions about what caused the events in 1691 and 1692, but I've never seen anything that addresses the complexity of the political climate as much as this book, and it really put things in a whole new light. Additionally, the religious diversity of Salem Town and the surrounding area was really surprising, and I don't know that I've ever seen anything about the deep level of distrust of Quakers in the region. I mean, there were even supposed Anabaptists?! I thought they were wiped out before this, but prove me wrong I guess.
To be fair, this is not a page-turner. You will want to spend some time with the material, and you'll probably need to back up occasionally to review previous chapters. It's also REALLY hard to keep track of all of the people referenced. It sort of felt like reading Doestoyevsky - a lot of the names are the same, or pretty similar. You should also probably have read a full account of the trials prior to this to really have a sense of what's being discussed, but as mentioned before, that's covered in a lot of other books, and would have made this unwieldy.
The last chapter is a bit of a mish-mosh, but thinking about how the trials were viewed after the fact and the shame that generations felt over this tragedy really puts the entire event in a whole new light. It makes it hard to positively view the current "celebration" in Salem of it's history, though it wouldn't be the first place to benefit from tragedy. Furthermore, without the current popularity of the trials, the kind of historical information found in this book might never reach the public, and we'd all just assume that The Crucible was historically accurate.
Maybe this isn't for everyone, but if you have any interest in this topic, it's a very fresh view and a lot of new information. Check it out.
Personally, I found this to be a fascinating read because it is about all of the information surrounding the trials, not a blow-by-blow of the actual trials. There are a lot of common perceptions about what caused the events in 1691 and 1692, but I've never seen anything that addresses the complexity of the political climate as much as this book, and it really put things in a whole new light. Additionally, the religious diversity of Salem Town and the surrounding area was really surprising, and I don't know that I've ever seen anything about the deep level of distrust of Quakers in the region. I mean, there were even supposed Anabaptists?! I thought they were wiped out before this, but prove me wrong I guess.
To be fair, this is not a page-turner. You will want to spend some time with the material, and you'll probably need to back up occasionally to review previous chapters. It's also REALLY hard to keep track of all of the people referenced. It sort of felt like reading Doestoyevsky - a lot of the names are the same, or pretty similar. You should also probably have read a full account of the trials prior to this to really have a sense of what's being discussed, but as mentioned before, that's covered in a lot of other books, and would have made this unwieldy.
The last chapter is a bit of a mish-mosh, but thinking about how the trials were viewed after the fact and the shame that generations felt over this tragedy really puts the entire event in a whole new light. It makes it hard to positively view the current "celebration" in Salem of it's history, though it wouldn't be the first place to benefit from tragedy. Furthermore, without the current popularity of the trials, the kind of historical information found in this book might never reach the public, and we'd all just assume that The Crucible was historically accurate.
Maybe this isn't for everyone, but if you have any interest in this topic, it's a very fresh view and a lot of new information. Check it out.
October 11, 2014
I was happy to find a book that seemed to be interested in presenting information about the people and events that were concerned in an even handed and non biased way. This is a great book to help understand who the key people and political and social conditions were. Baker has taken the time to recreate the areas of Massachusetts that were drastically effected by the accusations brought forward by both accusers and accused so that we can see exactly what the contributing factors were that led up to this tragedy. You get a more personal glance at the victims and their families and learn about the war being fought against the French and Native Americans on the edges of the Puritans City on the Hill and the various divisions within the Puritan community itself and the raising worry about competing groups like the Quakers. This is an academic, informative book so there are times when it gets a little hard to wade through all the names of the historical figures but the information gleaned is worth the effort. These people were driven by their love of God and in trying to preserve that they turned upon their own and paid for their mistakes. The family ties that several well known signers of the declaration of Independence have will make you stop and think about how the founding of our country may have been affected by the tragedy and how its repercussions continue up to this day. After having finished this book I am able to say that I can see where learning about Salem should be part of any American history course because it is the very history that begot the beginnings of the America that was created by our founding fathers. Well done to Baker.
January 15, 2022
I began reading this book in July of 2021 in preparation for a trip I was taking to Boston and Salem that summer. It is mid-January 2022 and I have finally finished the book, as I have taken breaks from it to read several other books. While the book is certainly detailed and researched thoroughly, it was a bit of a chore to read. I appreciated how the author divided the chapters into topics, covering the area history, the accused, the accusers, the judges, and the historical fallout. What made the book hard to read was the style of prose and the incredible overabundance of names and places, often times packed into run-on sentences. Several times I found myself glazing over a deluge of townships and tangentially related names that are rattled off without regard to the overall thesis of the chapter. I would have liked to have seen the author trim some of the fat by only including essential people, as at times it read like a genealogy study. I appreciated the final chapter on the evolution of Salem into a tourist attraction, however the final pages became a bit preachy as the author began to talk in the first person. While this is the first book I have read on the Salem Witch Trials, I imagine there may be others out there that are equally informative and scholarly while also being a bit more concise and engaging.
December 30, 2020
An informative, insightful and fascinating read about the witchcraft trials in Salem in 1692.
I did a lot of research to find the "perfect" read after I read about half of Schiff's The Witches: Salem, 1692 before giving up, as it felt like one long run-on sentence in need of some serious editing. A Storm of Witchcraft got the best reviews and sounded the most cohesive.
I absolutely loved this book - it was well organized and easy to follow considering it covers a lot of history of the time period. The chapters are organized into sections that explain the Puritan belief system, why they came to America, The Afflicted, The Accused and The Judges (etc).
I think my favourite of all the chapters was about those who were afflicted and why they may have done what they did. I appreciate Baker not settling with one tidy answer to explain it all, nor does he pass judgement on the people involved.
Mostly, you realize that we cannot judge them for their actions, because such strong beliefs are still held by many today (Baker makes a great example near the end of the book by replacing the word "witch" with "terrorist" to show how such fears and heightened paranoia still exist).
Overall a fantastic read that I reccomend if you're interested in the Salem Witch trials!
I did a lot of research to find the "perfect" read after I read about half of Schiff's The Witches: Salem, 1692 before giving up, as it felt like one long run-on sentence in need of some serious editing. A Storm of Witchcraft got the best reviews and sounded the most cohesive.
I absolutely loved this book - it was well organized and easy to follow considering it covers a lot of history of the time period. The chapters are organized into sections that explain the Puritan belief system, why they came to America, The Afflicted, The Accused and The Judges (etc).
I think my favourite of all the chapters was about those who were afflicted and why they may have done what they did. I appreciate Baker not settling with one tidy answer to explain it all, nor does he pass judgement on the people involved.
Mostly, you realize that we cannot judge them for their actions, because such strong beliefs are still held by many today (Baker makes a great example near the end of the book by replacing the word "witch" with "terrorist" to show how such fears and heightened paranoia still exist).
Overall a fantastic read that I reccomend if you're interested in the Salem Witch trials!
July 12, 2022
July-2022 After a reread and visiting Salem earlier this year, I found myself enjoying this book even more than the first time. Quite honestly, I didn't remember much and it was like reading a new book. Plus having taken the trip up there and having a better image in my head of places and the history, I think it just hit different.
A great overview of everything Salem and early Colonial America Witchcraft related. At times there was too much information. The chapters were set up very well for the subjects, if they had been done any other way the book probably would have been a bit tedious. Being someone very interested in the events at Salem, I found myself learning new things from this book which was a very pleasant surprise.
A great overview of everything Salem and early Colonial America Witchcraft related. At times there was too much information. The chapters were set up very well for the subjects, if they had been done any other way the book probably would have been a bit tedious. Being someone very interested in the events at Salem, I found myself learning new things from this book which was a very pleasant surprise.
March 10, 2022
This book is brilliant.
October 15, 2016
Excellent historical overview of the trials, the town and the aftermath. Recommend.
August 20, 2024
I had only been aware of the broad brush-strokes of the 1692 Salem witchcraft phenomenon, but one of my students recently did her research paper on this topic, which piqued my interest a little, and hence I took a deep dive into the event, and "deep dive" is what this book is all about. The author was able to take advantage of so much primary source evidence about the Salem witchcraft hysteria that I cannot imagine another study doing a better job of analyzing the event from all of it different angles. The book begins with an overview of the events in Salem and then delves deeply into the stories of the three different groups at the center of the story: the "afflicted" (the accusers), the accused witches, and the judges. The book takes a long, hard look at all of the possible explanations for what happened in Salem and I emerged with the conviction that there could never be a single clear explanation of the events. The girls who were initially "afflicted" may well have been suffering from a type of group hysteria that has emerged from time to time throughout the last 300 years. (Indeed, the book mentions the 2011 case of the cheerleaders in Leroy, New York, 40 minutes from where I live, who were afflicted with symptoms very similar to the girls originally afflicted in Salem in 1692.) But the witchcraft phenomenon in 17th century Massachusetts was probably also based on things like religions conflicts, political rivalries, and a frontier war with a native tribe. The book was a bit of a slog, as it presented just about every possible detail concerning this event. But, for me, the reward came at the end, when it discussed the permanent impact that the witch trials had on the history of Salem, as well as its manifestations in American cultural history. (Full disclosure- in 2013, I was asked to play the role of the "hanging judge" in my school's presentation of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible.") If one has always been fascinated with the Salem witchcraft story, this is the book for you. For those who are simply aficionados of American history, the book's density makes it a bit of a "heavy lift," although the final chapters make it a worthwhile read.
October 8, 2022
After reading Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter earlier this year, I wanted to pulled the thread of what happened during the witch trials of 1692. After looking at multiple books, A Storm of Witchcraft sounded the most likely to give context for the whole thing. What happened in Salem is not a pinpoint of 1692, but rather had several decades of buildup and then has echoed centuries into the present day. Just yesterday (10/7/22) I read an article about how modern woke philosophy was traced back to the Puritanism of the 1662 but rather more reflects Quakerism. We hear about the family factions, life on the frontier, greed for land, war, fear, and religion all swirl into a perfect storm that came to a head with the hangings. I did like how the author made sure that his readers knew that the people were not a bunch of uneducated backwoods hicks and yokels. These events were not out of mere superstitions.
One takeaway I had from A Storm of Witchcraft is that it doesn’t fit the narrative going around today that whoever has the power makes the history. Those in power at Salem tried to bury the truth of what happened, and the truth did not remain buried. Also, many things happen in the world and are so complex that we may not be able to unravel them down to a single causal point. The Storm is an excellent metaphor. What a tangled web we weave, and what a mess we make. Though I would judge, based on the contents of this book, that the puritans’ practice of the gospel fell short of biblical, I hold that the true gospel of Christ is the only way out of a mess like this at any point in time.
Overall, I found A Storm of Witchcraft interesting and it may be worthwhile if you have an interest in pre-revolutionary American history. If you’re coming to this book for the drama of the trials, most of that is in the first chapter with the other eight chapters describing the historical context and ramifications of the trials. Not a necessity by any means or even a recommend.
One takeaway I had from A Storm of Witchcraft is that it doesn’t fit the narrative going around today that whoever has the power makes the history. Those in power at Salem tried to bury the truth of what happened, and the truth did not remain buried. Also, many things happen in the world and are so complex that we may not be able to unravel them down to a single causal point. The Storm is an excellent metaphor. What a tangled web we weave, and what a mess we make. Though I would judge, based on the contents of this book, that the puritans’ practice of the gospel fell short of biblical, I hold that the true gospel of Christ is the only way out of a mess like this at any point in time.
Overall, I found A Storm of Witchcraft interesting and it may be worthwhile if you have an interest in pre-revolutionary American history. If you’re coming to this book for the drama of the trials, most of that is in the first chapter with the other eight chapters describing the historical context and ramifications of the trials. Not a necessity by any means or even a recommend.
May 15, 2019
Several reviews indicated that this was a very complete book about the Salem Witch Trials. The book appears to address every facet of the trial. The first three chapters discuss the background of the Puritans, Salem, and New England at the time, and this is helpful in understanding how the trials came to be. The next three chapters focus on the afflicted, the accused, and the judges. The last three chapters discuss the aftermath of the trials, what happened to the people after the trials, and the effect the trials have had on our country today.
At times I had a hard time reading because the book is dense with facts and people. I also found it difficult to keep everyone straight. The author tries to help with this by providing some appendices which summarize information about those accused of witchcraft.
What was most interesting to me was how the lessons from Salem can apply to us today. Similarities between the witch trials and more current events are discussed. It seems to be human nature to let fear and mob rule to override truth and/or science. The author points out several cases in US history since the trials where this has occurred. If we as a society think we would never do anything like what happened in Salem in 1692, we may be mistaken.
I recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn more about the witch trials and what they can teach us about human nature.
At times I had a hard time reading because the book is dense with facts and people. I also found it difficult to keep everyone straight. The author tries to help with this by providing some appendices which summarize information about those accused of witchcraft.
What was most interesting to me was how the lessons from Salem can apply to us today. Similarities between the witch trials and more current events are discussed. It seems to be human nature to let fear and mob rule to override truth and/or science. The author points out several cases in US history since the trials where this has occurred. If we as a society think we would never do anything like what happened in Salem in 1692, we may be mistaken.
I recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn more about the witch trials and what they can teach us about human nature.
October 1, 2019
It took me nearly a month to get through this book, but it was really interesting. Emerson Baker is a professor at Salem University and gives a thorough look at the events before and after the Salem Witch Trials. He states that the socioeconomic, religious, and cultural atmosphere in Massachusetts before 1692 lead to a "perfect storm" that created the reasons behind the Salem Witch Trials where 25 innocent people died.
Baker completely dismisses the idea that there was some sort of mold spore in the rye bread that lead to the "afflictions" that the original set of girls suffered, which makes sense. There were many intriguing scenarios that happened and caused the residents of Salem to be so distrusting and wary of their neighbors to the point of advocating for their deaths.
If you've ever been interested in the Witch Trials, I recommend this book as it gives a great historical background. It even talks about Salem decades after and how it has come to be known as "Witch City." It started banking on that tourism in the late 1800s. I thought this was something rather new.
Baker completely dismisses the idea that there was some sort of mold spore in the rye bread that lead to the "afflictions" that the original set of girls suffered, which makes sense. There were many intriguing scenarios that happened and caused the residents of Salem to be so distrusting and wary of their neighbors to the point of advocating for their deaths.
If you've ever been interested in the Witch Trials, I recommend this book as it gives a great historical background. It even talks about Salem decades after and how it has come to be known as "Witch City." It started banking on that tourism in the late 1800s. I thought this was something rather new.
September 20, 2022
This was honestly one of the better books on the Salem witch trials that I’ve read. It had a good amount of information that has been collected and amalgamated from actual records and diaries rather than relying as much on qualitative insights as some others do. Not that he doesn’t make assumptions based on the available information, it’s more so that he outright tells you this is an assumption that could or could not be accurate.
One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was honestly in the later chapters where he goes into some detail on the generational impacts the witch trials had. I know there are other works on this, but it’s nice to tie them together in this way.
One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was honestly in the later chapters where he goes into some detail on the generational impacts the witch trials had. I know there are other works on this, but it’s nice to tie them together in this way.
October 25, 2019
A scholarly synthesis of the Salem witch trials and the overall New England experience of the time. Not necessarily a gripping read for those who are looking for a fast-paced account, but definitely gives the reader a deep understanding of how this unfortunate event occurred and the impacts that are still felt today. The author deserves praise for the depth of research conducted in this effort, particularly when dealing with very old historical records, which are often spotty, and the complex web of familial ties that seemingly linked nearly everyone involved in this tragedy. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to peel back the curtain on this often misunderstood, yet crucial event in American colonial history.
October 15, 2021
"Salem has much in common with Wounded Knee, the site of a massacre of Lakotas; Pequot Hill, where more than four hundred Pequots were murdered; or Gramercy Park and other places in New York City where numbers of African Americans were lynched during the Draft Riots. We struggle to acknowledge our dark moments, so intent are we in moving beyond them in the righteous cause of achieving a more perfect union."
the last three pages of this book hit me like a semi truck. sublime
the last three pages of this book hit me like a semi truck. sublime
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