Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials

Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. In a plain meetinghouse, a woman stands before her judges. The accusers, girls and young women, are fervent, overexcited, just on the edge of breaking out into convulsions. The accused is a poor, unpopular woman who had her first child before she was married. As the trial proceeds, the girls begin to wail, tear their clothing, and scream that the woman is hurting them. Some of them expose wounds to the horrified onlookers, holding out the pins that have stabbed them -- pins that have appeared as if by magic. Are the girls acting, or are they really tormented by an unseen evil? Whatever the cause, the nightmare in Salem has begun: The witch trials will eventually claim twenty-five lives, shatter the community, and forever shape the American social conscience. Acclaimed historian Marc Aronson sifts through the facts, myths, half-truths, misinterpretations, and theories around the Salem witch trials to present us with a vivid narrative of one of the most compelling mysteries in American history. "Witch-Hunt" is a brilliant book that will stimulate and challenge readers to come to their own conclusions about what really happened during those terrifying months of accusations, trials, and executions.

Review :
Bernard Rosenthalauthor of "Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials of 1692"A welcome book for young adults that would also serve regular adults much better than most books about the Salem witch trials. Aronson offers a beautifully written and accurate account of the trials. Teachers should throw away other books they have been using for young adults and turn to this one. Mary Beth Nortonauthor of "In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692"Translating the most recent scholarship into accessible prose, Aronson never "talks down" to his audience in the course of creating a gripping, sophisticated narrative that establishes the contemporary relevance of his oft-recounted tale. A brilliant appendix discussing the relationship of the historical events to Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" will be of great interest to readers of all ages. "A gripping, sophisticated narrative that establishes the contemporary relevance of this oft-recounted tale. A brilliant appendix discussing the relationship of historical events to Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" will be of great interest to readers of all ages." -- Mary Beth Norton, author of "In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692" "A highly readable narrative." -- "New York Times Book Review" "A legitimate piece of original scholarship that is at the same time an interesting narrative." -- "School Library Journal, " starred review "A skillful retelling of the endlessly fascinating story of the 1692 witchcraft crisis for young readers...a gripping, sophisticated narrative." -- Mary Beth Norton "A welcome book for young adults that would also serve regular adults much better than most books about the Salem witch trials. Beautifully written and accurate. Teachers should throw away other books they have been using for young adults and turn to this one." -- Bernard Rosenthal, author of "Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials of 1692" "Excellent history writing." -- "Kirkus Reviews, " starred review "Readers will be swept up in this complex mystery." -- "Publishers Weekly, " starred review Mary Beth Nortonauthor of "In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692" Translating the most recent scholarship into accessible prose, Aronson never "talks down" to his audience in the course of creating a gripping, sophisticated narrative that establishes the contemporary relevance of his oft-recounted tale. A brilliant appendix discussing the relationship of the historical events to Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" will be of great interest to readers of all ages.