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Salem Witch Trials: A History from Beginning to End

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Discover the dark history of the Salem Witch Trials...
The Salem Witch Trials have become one of the most infamous events in American history. During the bitter winter of 1692/93, a group of Puritan young women in the colonial town of Salem, Massachusetts, accused more than two hundred of their neighbors and fellow townspeople of using witchcraft to injure and torment them. This was an incredibly serious allegation that led to sensational court proceedings and ended with the execution of nineteen people. Since then, it has been the subject of many works of literature and other entertainment. Uncover this dark story which is still shrouded in mystery to this day.

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62 pages, Paperback

Published June 14, 2021

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437 people want to read

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Hourly History

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5 stars
253 (37%)
4 stars
240 (35%)
3 stars
143 (20%)
2 stars
37 (5%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Bren fall in love with the sea..
1,968 reviews481 followers
April 11, 2024
DNF. Kind of dry and different that what I was seeking. I felt I was getting more of a history of the Puritans than about the Salem Witch Trails themselves. Perhaps that is my fault as I grew impatient.

The chapters are short and easy to read but this is a subject I'd prefer to read about in story form I guess rather than feeling like I'm back in history class. Still worth reading if you have an interest in the subject matter and prefer this writing style.
Profile Image for Sandy.
566 reviews26 followers
December 22, 2022
Usually I'm a fan of these little Hourly History books. They're all so compact and to the point. However, I found this all over the place.

The Salem Witch Trials has gained a mystical and supernatural aura around it over the years. What I feel is, it's another hideous crime committed in the name of the god; one of many in the post colonized America. Women mainly were accused for witchcraft, hung, burnt and murdered all over the western world by different branches of the church and this is just one of those despiteful events.

The book however, focuses more on the background rather than on the trials itself. The background was very educational. For an instant, I was not aware of the Puritan connection to the trials. According to them the weak nature of women; moral and physical, lead to easy manipulation and temptation very easily. Basically women danced under the moon with Satan and had orgies with him cos women were 'easy'. The main focus of Salem Witch Trials was this aspect. So they took the word of a bunch of kids in order to murder a bunch of women, at first the outcasts and then anyone who was accused as a witch or a warlock. What I learnt from this little thing was the height of the religious frenzy and where it can lead people.

The only issue with this book was the lack of information on the trials itself. It mostly gives the information about the events that lead to to the trials, the background of the people who conducted the trials, the accusers and how they ended. Very little was mentioned about the victims or what happened during the trials. I wish if this gave a bit more deeper look into the trials. No harm done, there are more books on the subject matter.

It's not a bad book. It lets the reader learn few things about the whole Salem witch tragedy.

Book #64 of 2022.
Profile Image for Nihal.
198 reviews
July 21, 2021
"I am no more a witch than you are a wizard. If you take my life away, God will give you blood to drink" - Sarah Good.

Salem Witch Trials were a debatable part of history. No one knew whether people practised witchcraft or not. However, in the 17th Century, people were believed to be possessed by the Devil and known for practising witchcraft. The trials over these people were terrifying and unmerciful, and whether the trials being good or bad is a very controversial topic even going on today. The book gave a brief overlook of the history of Massachusetts, along with giving the start and the end of these trials. A good book for understanding the trials but not for learning their entire history.
Profile Image for Apollo Hesiod.
134 reviews50 followers
March 23, 2023
Salem witch trials

This is a great introduction to this part of history. I'm very interested in this period on how they determined what actions are considered witchcraft and the accused.
Profile Image for Star Gater.
1,934 reviews62 followers
September 5, 2021
Be careful what you wish for. This went way back and in depth. Another aspect of American History romanticized by books and Hollywood. Facts are women were educated (they read the bible), superstitions and lies from kids, young girls ended a lot of lives.

Another book tube challenge 30/30 less than 100 pages. Naomi's Bookshelf.

I hope to get my Kindle shorts (less than 100 pages cleaned up and read).
Profile Image for Lisa.
329 reviews35 followers
January 14, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up!

I’ve been intrigued by the Salem Witch trials since I was very young. I remember watching a BEWITCHED episode where Samantha was transported back in time to Salem, Massachusetts — that’s probably when my interest was peaked. Regardless, it’s a tragically bleak time in American history that baffles me to this day.

This book does a great job of setting the stage for circumstances and events that led up to the witch trials, trying to educate the reader on the mindset in place that created the hysteria surrounding such a dark time. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about this tragic time for so many, many innocent people whose only crime was existing at this specific time in American history, in this specific place.
Profile Image for J. Cunis.
Author 1 book10 followers
December 8, 2022
A short overview of yet another example of a cluster of lemming like humans losing there minds at the urging of manipulators furthering their narrow minded idea of notoriety and status.
Profile Image for Nicke Pearson.
268 reviews7 followers
July 2, 2021
A quick read

Not very detailed but it doesn't set out to be. This short piece gives more overall information, important names and dates . It's very concise and to the point. I enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Kathy West.
1,368 reviews26 followers
November 13, 2022
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Excellent - Highly Recommended
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A good, solid read
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - An okay read
2 ⭐️⭐️ - Meh
1 ⭐️ - Not my cup of tea
Profile Image for Nila Eslit.
127 reviews5 followers
June 11, 2022
Perhaps, it’s safe to say the Salem Witch trials were among the worst infamous crimes in human history. It occurred because a Christian sect believed that people who don’t share their beliefs were allied with the devil. And so, they were considered witches.

Salem (present-day Danvers) is a historic coastal city in Massachusetts, USA. Although it’s now a tourist destination, the place once experienced a dark period in history.

In the 17th century, Salem was a British colony. It was founded by the English Protestants, called the Puritans who came to settle in the area. This Christian sect believed they were the chosen people or the “elect” of God. They felt it was their obligation to enact reforms wherever they settled. And since Salem was governed by their own leaders, they imposed that everyone observed their traditions to the letter. Any person that didn’t conform to their statutes was considered to be influenced by the devil, and were practicing witchcraft.

As time went by, however, more and more migrants arrived in Salem. Most of the new arrivals were from Britain. Others were enslaved individuals from Africa. Apparently, the migrants were non-Puritans. Because of this, the Puritans felt threatened that their “godly” lifestyle might be affected.

Salem Witch Trials: The Beginning

The inevitable did happen!

In 1692 – 1693, hearsay about witchcraft spread like wildfire. It all started with a group of young women who came forward and claimed some members of their community were practicing witchcraft. Many men, women, and even children were accused. Sadly, the stories were not actually backed by concrete proofs. Rather, spectral evidence was considered in court.

Most of the accused were women. They were singled out for at least two reasons. One reason is that women were physically and morally weaker than men. And secondly, they were morally inferior and were prone to the devil’s temptation.

Eventually, twenty accused witches were sacrificed. Bridget Bishop was the first “witch” to be executed. While the nineteen other victims were brought to the infamous Gallows Hill to die by hanging.

The Book and the Author

Salem Witch Trials are one of the most gruesome and inhumane ways to end life. To be accused of something due to hearsay is injustice enough. And, to rely on spectral evidence is questionable. But then, during those times this kind of evidence was strong and acceptable. The accused was left with little or no hope of redemption at all. Thankfully, this type of judgment is completely banned.

However, I think relatives and witnesses of the horrible events must have carried the pain for a long time. Indemnities granted to the victims’ families could not compensate for the trauma they suffered.

Nevertheless, the part that touched me most in the Salem Witch Trials is the statement of one of the key persons. He said:

“The trials could not have occurred in the first place if Salemites did not fervently believe in the existence of witches and the power of the devil in their midst.”

I appreciate the author’s effort of making a concise account of this important part of American history. Readers who don’t have the luxury of time are given the opportunity to learn something in a quick read. Likewise, visitors and tourists to the present-day Danvers get a glimpse of its history.

Overall, I give the Salem Witch Trials a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to all readers keen on history. There are a lot of things to learn from it.

NOTE: The above review is also posted in The Catalyst.
4,012 reviews21 followers
June 28, 2021
Since the Salem Witch trials are a fairly known set of court cases and executions, it is wonderful that Hourly History decided to add something different. This is a deep dive into how and why conditions formed the perfect storm that they were for the Puritans' Witch Trials. This is fascinating reading because some of the causes are not so obvious.

It is important to understand that the Puritan worldview dictated their lives. Their goal was to create God's ideal community and that God had specifically appointed them to do just that. If they failed, it was their fault and God would visit his wrath on them. They expected God's Second Coming and it was their duty to purify the earth in preparation for his coming. They also believed that God already knew who would be saved and those who wouldn't.

The wrinkle here was: Puritans were compelled to prove to their society that they were part of the blessed and not the damned. If they were excommunicated, where could they go? They did not celebrate ANYTHING. Their children were to be prepared for the grim life by disciplining them against their natural inclinations towards joy. Because other denominations were joining the Puritans, their rules were becoming more strict. Puritans did not hold with religious tolerance; they ostracized others of different Christian beliefs. The Puritans had an insular society; they became almost pathological in their fear of dissent and opposition.

This book makes a point of saying that Puritanism was declining in numbers by 1662. Historians agree that Puritanism was over by the 1740s. The first three women who were accused of being witches were outliers (not part of the Puritan fold). There is an interesting discussion of what was going on with the young girls who claimed others of witchcraft. There were social tensions as well as gender tensions. Men believed that women were weaker and more likely to be tempted by the devil.

It was a surprise to learn that witch-hunting was not a new problem. Witch hunts date back to ancient times and continued through 1750 in European societies. The New World settlers were familiar with witch hunts in England between 1644 and 1646 (in which one hundred people died). Another point this book makes is that the witch worries began in the middle of a particularly brutal winter in New England.

The rest of the book is about the actual claims, the trials, executions, etc. Then, the book talks about the legacy of the Witch Trials in literature and theater. These aspects of the trials are more well-known. I thought the strength of this book was their analysis of the culture of the Puritans and how it helped spawn the Witch Trials.
163 reviews
March 8, 2026
good for the brief overview it was trying to be. im following it up with a longer book about Salem but this was a nice supplement.
Two passages stuck out to me:
"Throughout the 1630s, an influential minister named Roger Williams continually clashed with Puritan leadership throughout Massachusetts Bay on these and other issues. His views about separation of church and state and freedom of religion were viewed as especially threatening to the Puritans' calling, and he was exiled in 1636. He did not leave, however, and instead founded Providence Plantation which eventually became the Colony of Rhode Island) nearby."

and

"Two of the men hanged on August 19 were George Jacobs Sr. and George Burroughs, the former minister of Salem. The very next day, Jacobs' granddaughter Margaret Jacobs, recanted her testimony given earlier that month that led to their convictions and subsequent executions. She, too, had been accused of witchcraft and had named their names during questioning by the magistrates, most likely in an attempt to secure her own freedom."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Bonnie Gleckler Clark.
893 reviews16 followers
July 11, 2021
Signs of the Times

Just as the removal of monuments, statues, flags, etc., is being undertaken today…as were the signs and sights of the Salem Witch trials.
All of these things are a part of our history, snd instead should be placed in museums or in shows as reminders of our somewhat sordid past.
Yes the trials actually took place, hundreds were imprisoned, and there were numerous people found guilty. Many were hung, others died in prison or worse.
We truly cannot forget our outlive our past. We must learn from it, snd thereby not let it happen again.
I learned a great deal about the Salem Witch Trials from reading the Hourly History. Clarification is a good think.
Profile Image for Lynda.
1,236 reviews35 followers
December 27, 2024
A concise history and reflection

I've read multiple articles, books, etc regarding this fascinating piece of Early American history. As the family genealogist with ancestors in Massachusetts since the 1620s -- no, none of them were part of this but you know people heard what was going on in Salem.

What Hourly History has done is pull the key elements together while also addressing the cause, current beliefs of that time --especially re the Puritan faith. And what happened afterward.

My only ancestral connection -- Cotton Mather performed the marriage ceremony for at least one of my ancestors.
154 reviews4 followers
June 18, 2021
Salem Witch Trials in a Nutshell

There has always been a fascination about this very strange event in Salem, Massachusetts history. This book explains much of the atmosphere of the Puritan community at the time and why such outrageous accusations were believed without proof. It was actually a very small part of the Puritan's story, but lived on, to the shame of the town, because it was so bizarre. I enjoyed reading this synopsis and recommend it to anyone interested in a short version that can be read in under an hour.
Profile Image for Bob Willis.
139 reviews4 followers
September 8, 2022
Salem Witch Trials: A History

A short concise history of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of the late 1600's.
I enjoyed reading and learning about this period of American history. While I knew that there were trial and executions, most of what I thought was derived from movies and reading fiction that worked the execution of witches onto there stories.
SPOILER ALERT
One thing I learned was no witches were burned at the stake as a result of the Salem Witch Trials.
Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in this time period of American history.
Profile Image for Dawn Thoma.
396 reviews11 followers
September 29, 2023
This was an interesting book about the Salem Witch Trials, a subject that I knew little of! There was a good discussion about the events leading to the witch trials and the atmosphere of the time. It was a very sad period of American history. The only thing that annoys me about this book is that it was poorly written, and I also wish I had an in-depth story about the Witch Trials, as I find it very fascinating
561 reviews4 followers
March 9, 2024
This is a great story. You learn most of what happens in Salem at that time in history. It shows just how paranoid people were back then. Life definitely was hard back then because of the harsh winters and the threat of attacks be the natives. A lot of innocent people lost their lives because of paranoia and possibly due to hallucinations from a fungus on their main crop of rye. This book is worth a read if you are interested in what happened in Salem.
Profile Image for David Parker.
492 reviews10 followers
July 22, 2021
Hearts of Darkness

There is very dark side of human nature that reappears throughout history: KKK used lynchings to control blacks, McCarthyism and the anti-communist movement and the Catholic Church’s Inquisition. It seems to appear when one group fears losing control of power or identity.
2 reviews
September 22, 2022
Fascinating

A fascinating history on Salem and the witch trials. A non-biased, historical viewpoint.
Thanks for the interesting read. I personally have learned a lot about the people, their beliefs and possibly how these accusations came to pass.
Well worth an hour of anyone's life!

Profile Image for Alessandra Benini.
Author 5 books155 followers
October 28, 2024
A super short read detailing the origins and timeline of the infamous Witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts.
It explains how the Puritans’ beliefs and way of life opened the door to such terrible events.
Without it being long, this book satisfies curiosity about this dark period of US history, and tackles the main points of how the events unfolded and the aftermath.
644 reviews
June 20, 2021
Interesting. I'd heard some of the stories, or maybe they should called myths, but I didn't realize the links to the Puritans. Very interesting, and thanks for the history lesson with no Final Exam.
69 reviews
June 25, 2021
A closer look!

Truly the whole awful situation in Salem was a crime that should have caused much shame on those who participated in it. The author in just a few words opens our minds to how fear of the unknown can destroy innocent lives.
Profile Image for Sandra Burns.
1,809 reviews43 followers
July 30, 2021
Great, fast read.

These Hourly History books, are written well. They explained why the witch trials came about. Some say, that the rye bread, caused them to have the symptoms they did. The town, eventually ended the trials.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,170 reviews
Read
October 1, 2021
Fast read

History tells us what happened and some stories tell us why. The Salem Witch Trials may never have a why. However tales such as this gives some insight. A fast read leaves you with lots to think about.
43 reviews
February 18, 2022
Salem witch trials: a history from beginning to end

A couple of glaring errors, but a pretty good introduction to this subject of which I have an affinity, having completed my dissertation on the history of witchcraft for my 1st degree at Swansea University in 1983.
Profile Image for Stormi Ellis.
362 reviews9 followers
April 18, 2022
Informational and Well written

I have ready many accounts of the Trials through the years and I was surprised that this had information I did not know yet. I always love to learn new facts. I love the history and believe this was a very informative and interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews