Witch-Hunt : Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials

Rating:
Summary: This is a must for both high school and public libraries.
Review: Any mention of witches and/or witchcraft, and most teenagers will zero in to see what it's all about. This new and carefully researched book on the Salem witch trails will disappoint neither teens nor adults. Marc Aronson has laid out his material in an easy-to-follow format, dividing the chapters by timeline.

Before the introductory pages, "Note to the Reader" explains that research still does not give us a final answer surrounding the events in 1692 Salem. Aronson asks the reader, aiming his narrative at a teen audience, to think about what might have made the accusers act as they did. After all, he points out, "Many of the accusers were teenagers." He also notes some of the discrepancies, such as the fact that the slave known as Tituba was not black but more likely an Indian. His purpose here is to show that the smallest matters can be crucial in uncovering truth, especially since so much fantasy has surrounded the Salem witch trials.

THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller is examined, as the author spends time building the case of Miller's brilliant fiction against what really lay behind the compelling Salem events. Frequently, Aronson makes flattering reference to Miller and to the many writers who laid the groundwork for his own research. And while he used transcripts of the pretrial hearings, for better understanding, punctuation and spellings were changed.

An index plus notes for cross-referencing make this an excellent reference book. The narrative style is smooth, and teens will find both the subject and writing appealing. Beyond the practical aspects of this work, Aronson has created a fantastic book that illustrates the agony of all the people --- accusers, victims, judges and families --- who were involved in the witch-hunts. This is a must for both high school and public libraries.

--- Reviewed by Sally Tibbetts (...)

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting and thought provoking read
Review: I picked this book out of pure curiosity for I have visited Salem, Mass. before and was interested in learning more. I just finished reading it, and I thought it was wonderful. "Witch Hunt" is extremely indepth and detailed account of speculations about the Salem witch trials in 1692. It is very factual, and allows the reader to come to their own conclusions about what they think happened while it discusses popular viewpoints. Not only does this book broaden your knowledge on the topic, but it draws comparisons to the rebellious 1960s and the aftershocks of September 11, 2001. It includes pictures, and quotes from surviving documents from the time.

Very, very good.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! A must read!!
Review: I work at a local library and while checking in some new books I discovered this wonderful read, "Witch Hunt." Aronson provided his readers with new speculations about the Salem Witch Trials instead of giving his own opinion. He mainly asks questions to provoke the reader to also questions about their once believed ideas of what "really happened." Unlike some narratives about the witch trials, Aronson clearly keeps the reader entertained and quickly turning the pages. This narrative is a fast read and provides insight on sifting through the facts and myths of what actually happened in 1692.

Rating:
Summary: A Worthy Addition to the Field
Review: Witch-Hunt is a solid and fascinating work which encapsulates the facts and theories surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. Aronson begins the book by stating his objective: to correct false information and assumptions that have grown up around the trials (and the events leading up to them). Although this kind of demythologizing does occur, Aronson is more focused on summarizing and comparing the opinions, theories and research of various scholars on why the Salem Witch Trials happened than on battling specific falsehoods.

Aronson leans towards the more rational and psychological explanations for the Salem Witch Trials, but he mentions many others, from the theory that there were truly witches in Salem to the theory that the accusers were entangled in a deliberate conspiracy to defraud their victims.

Aronson's careful presentation of the facts and theories should be applauded, especially his portrayal of the Puritans. Rather than portraying the Puritans as a warped society holding strange beliefs, he works to pull the reader into the Puritan world. The Puritans' beliefs and struggles become real and comprehensible. Aronson demonstrates too that those who spoke out against the trials (and eventually stopped them) were products of the same community and same religious convictions as the accusers.

I highly recommend this book for anyone studying the Salem Witch Trials, before or after reading other material.