Download A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and PDF Free ePUB

A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience (Pivotal Moments in American History) image

Overview

Review

Comments

Download PDF

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.

Details e-book A Storm of Witchcraft

🗸 Author(s): Emerson W. Baker
🗸 Title: A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience (Pivotal Moments in American History)
🗸 Rating : 4.5 from 5 stars (435 reviews)
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle

Readers' opinions about A Storm of Witchcraft by Emerson W. Baker

Waverley Chamberlain
This gripping thriller takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the dark alleys of a crime-ridden city, where the protagonists must unravel a complex web of deceit to solve a murder. The plot twists are relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation. With its well-developed characters and gritty atmosphere, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Audi Thornton
This comprehensive guide to personal finance offers practical advice and actionable strategies for achieving financial freedom. From budgeting and saving to investing and retirement planning, the author covers all the essential topics needed to build wealth and secure a stable financial future. Accessible and informative, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to take control of their finances.

Angeline Waters
This comprehensive guide to healthy living offers practical advice and science-backed tips for achieving optimal health and wellness. From diet and exercise to stress management and sleep hygiene, the author covers all the essential aspects of a balanced lifestyle. With its easy-to-follow recommendations and actionable strategies, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their overall well-being.