The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Written by Marilynne K. Roach

Narrated by Elizabeth Wiley

Based on twenty-seven years of original archival research, including the discovery of previously unknown documents, this day-by-day narrative of the hysteria that swept through Salem Village in 1692 and 1693 reveals new connections behind the events, and shows how rapidly a community can descend into bloodthirsty madness. Roach opens her work with chapters on the history of the Puritan colonies of New England, and explains how these people regarded the metaphysical and the supernatural. The account of the days from January 1692 to March 1693 keeps in order the large cast of characters, places events in their correct contexts, and occasionally contradicts earlier assumptions about the gruesome events. The last chapter discusses the remarkable impact of the events, pointing out how the 300th anniversary of the trials made headlines in Japan and Australia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781705252642

Reviews for The Salem Witch Trials

[ydraughon_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The witch scare and accusations went well beyond Salem Village to pervade New England; in less than two years, twenty people were put to death, and more than one hundred others were imprisoned. The Salem Witch Trials is based on over twenty-five years of original archival research (including the author's discovery of previously unknown documents), as well as on newly found cases and court records. From January 1692 to January 1697, this history unfolds a nearly day-by-day narrative of the crisis, while providing rich details of the communal, colonial, and international events that influenced the witch scare and trials. Illustrated with dozens of photos, drawings, and maps. This book would be recommended for high school. It can be used for history classes and to make timelines and English classes for reading, and for I thought that this book was better and more interesting than the one we were asked to read.