Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials
    Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials
    Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials
    Audiobook5 hours

    Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials

    Written by Marc Aronson

    Narrated by Alan Nebelthau

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. In a plain meetinghouse a woman stands before her judges. The accusers, girls and young women, are fervent and overexcited. 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 appeared as if by magic. Are they acting or are they really tormented by an unseen evil? Whatever the cause, the nightmare has begun: The witch trials will eventually claim twenty-five lives, shatter the community, and forever shape the American social conscience.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJun 21, 2013
    ISBN9781470353957
    Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials
    Author

    Marc Aronson

    Marc Aronson is the acclaimed author of Trapped: How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 Feet Below the Chilean Desert, which earned four starred reviews. He is also the author of Rising Water: The Story of the Thai Cave Rescue and Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Dorado, winner of the ALA’s first Robert F. Sibert Award for nonfiction and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. He has won the LMP award for editing and has a PhD in American history from New York University. Marc is a member of the full-time faculty in the graduate program of the Rutgers School of Communication and Information. He lives in Maplewood, New Jersey, with his wife, Marina Budhos, and sons. You can visit him online at MarcAronson.com.

    More audiobooks from Marc Aronson

    Related to Witch Hunt

    Related audiobooks

    Mystery For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Book of Spells

      Mar 27, 2020

      Editor April Madden Designer Laurie Newman Editorial Director Jon White Senior Art Editor Andy Downes Briony Duguid, Madelene King, Daniel Peel Media packs are available on request Commercial Director Clare Dove clare.dove@futurenet.com Head of Print

      1 min read

    • Article

      Wicca’s World

      Mar 17, 2022

      Wicca’s World
      2 min read

    • Article

      Kathleen Kent And Laird Hunt On Witches And Wickedness In American History And Literature

      Oct 17, 2018

      The concept of the witch has figured prominently, not only in American history but in American literature as well. From Cotton Mather’s cautionary essays to Nathaniel Hawthorne to Arthur Miller, readers have been held in thrall by accounts of accused

      8 min read

    • Article

      Books & co

      Mar 11, 2022

      Deserters of the First World War: The Home Front by Andrea Hetherington Th deserters who were shot at dawn and pardoned a century later is a familiar one. But alongside these 306 UK soldiers are the stories of another 80,000 men charged with deserti

      5 min read

    • Article

      WRITING Lost Voices

      Nov 2, 2023

      WRITING Lost Voices
      8 min read

    • Article

      Inspired By The Past

      Mar 12, 2021

      A selection of intriguing reads, reflecting the many facets of family history interest, with Helen Tovey & Rachel Bellerby by Emma Jolly This extremely useful, essential genealogy read by Emma Jolly came out last year, but for some reason I missed it

      4 min read

    • Article

      Fiction From Genealogy

      Mar 20, 2019

      Fiction From Genealogy
      5 min read

    • Article

      How New Gods Are Made

      Mar 24, 2022

      TO SEND REVIEW COPIES, CONTACT THE BOOK REVIEWS EDITOR AT DVBARRETT@FORTEANTIMES.COM On Men Unwittingly Turned Divine Anna Della Subin Granta Books 2022 Hb, £20, 460pp, ISBN 9781783785018 Many of the subjects of this delightfully curious book had no

      11 min read

    • Article

      Chris Bohjalian

      Apr 12, 2021

      Chris Bohjalian
      12 min read

    • Article

      Reviews

      Jan 25, 2024

      Reviews
      6 min read

    • Article

      Eroded Tropes and Fears and Consequences: The Millions Interviews Alyson Hagy

      Sep 28, 2018

      It’s been 18 years since Alyson Hagy and I both won a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Nested within the list of grantees was a scattering of addresses. I wrote to Alyson. She answered. We’ve seen each other just twice in all these yea

      8 min read

    • Article

      The History Of queer Women

      Jan 25, 2024

      The History Of queer Women
      10 min read

    • Article

      Spies In The Pantry

      Dec 31, 2020

      Spies In The Pantry
      6 min read

    • Article

      Salem

      Oct 5, 2023

      Salem
      11 min read

    • Article

      Table For Twelve

      Mar 1, 2021

      I feel that writing fiction is really one big confidence trick. You’re asking the reader to come into a new world and engage deeply with the rules of your universe, and that’s all about confidence. If you create the world with confidence, the reader

      2 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Witch Hunt

    3.5/5

    99 ratings36 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      I thought this would be a nice overview of the Salem trials but it was rather boring. It read like a text book, not a book designed for YA readers interested in the topic. I'd recommend this for research use only, and not just for the casual reader.
      -----
      Re-read 6/2016. Not sure what mindset I was in when I first read this but I've enjoyed it this second time. It is a researched historical account but reads much like a mystery narrative. Rating updatedfrom 2 to 4 stars.
    • 4/5
      Learning about the Salem witch-trials of 1692 is a chilling experience when you realize that nineteen people were executed because of possibly fabricated accusations. Naturally, questions abound: were the trials of 1692 the result of teenage girls frightened into thinking that evil was ubiquitous, or was there something more sinister unfolding in Salem? Even perhaps more chillingly, did a group of people knowingly condemn nineteen innocent people to their deaths because of petty differences and a desire for excitement in their restrained lives? Quite simply, how could this have happened?What makes Aronson’s book unique is that it doesn’t seek to provide answers to these questions; rather, the information is presented in a concise format and then lets the readers ponder for themselves the answers. Aronson deftly traces the hysteria back to its origins decades sooner, but he also discusses the culture of the Salem Puritans at that time, and what could have possibly driven a community to lash out at their own. Driven by money, property disputes, and power, it becomes increasingly unclear if it was human demons or superhuman ones that possessed a town to go mad. By the conclusion, readers are reminded of a more recent “witch-hunt”; that of the 1950’s McCarthy-era. The example begs readers to consider this: if this has happened so recently, it isn’t time, environment, or a certain group of people that causes witch hunts, then what does? Highly recommended. Grades 9 and up.
    • 5/5
      Noted nonfiction author Marc Aronson dissects the Salem Witch Trials and brings a measured, balanced report for young readers. He slays some popular myths along the way. He discounts the Slave Tituba's "contribution" noting that she was Indian, not black, that her confession likely saved her life and that any 'witchcraft' she practiced was learned while among the Puritans. He also minimizes the modern feminist spin that the Puritans targeted unmarried older women who owned land (only somewhat true). The greatest correlation lies along the index of popularity: if you were disliked, you were more likely to be targeted. He points to the competition between two prominent families, the Putnams and the Porters, as the single biggest prompt for the attacks. He also writes about Arthur Miller's deft spin on the situation and the parallels with the McCarthy trials.Fans of The Crucible, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, etc., will find this especially interesting. Those looking for high drama, lurid details or Wicca how-to's should look elsewhere.
    • 5/5
      In this piece of non-fiction, Marc Aronson revisits the historical events of the Salem Witch Trials with the purpose of correcting false information by addressing assumptions, opinions, and fictional accounts about the period. Using a narrative, conversational voice, Aronson describes his research findings and interpretations, while recounting the stories of the residents and key players in the infamous scandal. Unlike many other books of this genre, Aronson invites the reader to accompany him on his informational journey, while encouraging the reader to also analyze, interpret, and evaluate the research. By addressing the reader directly, Aronson encourages the reader to use his imagination while studying the evidence, in order to give life to the past. Importantly, Aronson points out that even he, the writer and historian, cannot make a final determination of what caused of the tragic events. Included is a timeline of Puritan history, a bibliography, and an extensive notes section that is meant to inspire readers to continue their own research. A pleasurable and informative read, this book will likely appeal to both fiction and non-fiction readers.
    • 5/5
      Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials. By Marc Aronson. Atheneum Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster. 2003. 272 pages. $18.95 hbk. 0689848641. Grades 8-12.Aronson tackles the oft-represented subject of the Salem witch trials with scholarly aplomb and instructional verve, using clear, measured prose to reveal the historical facts, his interpretation, and, in a gratifying twist, their combined relevance to the modern adolescent reader. His introduction encourages teenage readers to encounter these events from their own perspective and remember that such happenings are perhaps not so emotionally distant from our rational modern day. This framework follows throughout the rest of the work, adding a personal depth to his historical investigation that allows the reader to connect with these past happenings. Not only does Aronson teach his readers about the Salem witch trials (a topic surrounded by much misinformation, as Aronson patiently illustrates), he also models exemplary writing practice in his thorough analysis of the facts (always tethered to primary sources), his notification for all instances of supposition, and his run-down in the final chapter of other scholars’ thoughts on the matter. Witch-Hunt provides a thorough look at an important moment in history, and is well-written enough to be enjoyed by pleasure readers, setting a new standard for adolescent nonfiction.
    • 4/5
      Delving into the mystery and continued appeal of the Salem Witch Trials, this book brings together different aspects of the historical and social context of the Trials in a clearly well researched and informative manner. Despite dealing with such an easily sensationalized topic, Aronson does an admirable job balancing a scholarly tone with ease of reading. Throughout, Aronson makes sure to construct parallels between the distant past and the present to iterate how the Trials may have come to be and how they affected those involved—these parallels often seem to use the post-9/11 era as context cues which is easy to relate to current events. This book is directed towards teenagers and, although at times the text seems to drag along in certain areas, overall it would be a valuable asset for encouraging recalcitrant teenagers to grapple with history and teaching various skill-sets, such as using a bibliography or understanding footnotes and indices. It should be noted that the book diverges from textbooks in very intentional aesthetic ways that make the book more appealing as a source of information than other traditional texts; the use of margins and headings ease how text-heavy the book is. The addition of photographs and a timeline also work to add appeal to teenagers, as well as providing context cues for those who may be more visual learners. Recommended for purchase.
    • 4/5
      I read this book in the hope it could replace an out-of-print supplemental novel we read in conjunction with The Crucible; although I think it's a bit information-heavy and may only catch the interest of a small student population who love the facts, this book is an invaluable resource. How resourceful to have such a well-researched, easily presented account of the hunts and trials; I have new information about the individuals involved that I cannot wait to share with the students (ex: Tituba's married name was "Indian" - fascinating!)
    • 4/5
      4Q, 3P. Witch-Hunt is an engaging and well-written retelling of what happened during the Salem witch trials, and the mysteries that still remain. Why did the accusers (mostly teenagers) do what they did? What led them to knowingly send 19 of their neighbors to be hanged? Aronson approaches these questions not with an all-knowing air, but with as many facts as can be garnered - the rest, he states, is for the reader to decide.This book is clearly well-researched, and Aronson makes sure that readers are able to connect with several of the key characters throughout the trials. He presents only what can be proven through historical documents and written accounts of the events, leaving a lot to the reader's imagination. This book provided a great deal of insight into the time period, as well as a lively account of what we really know about what happened during the trials and immediately following them. Aronson's writing is lively, and he skillfully connects what happened during the Salem witch trials with other key moments in our nation's history, paying particular attention to terrorism and U.S. culture post-9/11.
    • 3/5
      An interesting book, Marc Aronson's "Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials" tries to uncover many myths that surround an unfortunate aspect of American history. I have always been intrigued by the Salem Witch Trials, as many other people are, so I was very excited about reading this book. While Aronson researched the Salem Witch Trials extensively, making him qualified to write about this subject, I was still somewhat unimpressed with the book. Part of the reason that I think I was unimpressed is because the only other books that I have read on the subject are fiction books; because I was used to the fictionalized aspect of the Salem Witch Trials, I think I felt let down by the nonfiction in this book. Regardless of my opinion, I still firmly believe that this book should be used in conjunction to "The Crucible" because it offers a more analytical, critical view on the Salem Witch Trials. Students need this viewpoint, otherwise they will grow up believing things about the Salem Witch Trials that are blatantly not true--just like I did.
    • 3/5
      As an avid fan of the Salem Witch Trials and this period of history in general, I saw this book upon the reading list and was thrilled, thinking it would be one of my absolute favorites. I must say this was not the case. I love the illustrations and unique design used for each new chapter. As a student, I would have gravitated to this book without hesitation. The research that has gone into this book is extraordinary and it is clear Aronson did a remarkable job in studying the content as he delved into this time period. However, even for a lover of this time period, getting through the book was a challenge. It is so chock full of information that it was hard to take in all at once. I would say this would be a good book for high school, though would not see myself using it.
    • 4/5
      This is a well written book, but sometimes my interest in reading it wavered. It is a good book for high school social studies or English students to read. The author's account of the trials by relying on facts rather than former hearsay leaves little room for misconceptions. His bibliography allows the readers to check the facts if they would like too. He also makes the reader think about why adolescents were many of the accusers. As a math teacher I would not use this book in my class. It is a good reference book to use when learning about early New England witch trials.
    • 5/5
      Aronson’s approach to the Salem Witch Trials in “Witch-Hunt” is a focus on the facts of these events. This is a work of scholarship that trades dramatization for accuracy and implied metaphors for real parallels. This book puts on notice other works about these events, specifically “The Crucible, which have contributed to so many misconceptions. Instead, Aronson focuses on utilizing and quoting directly only reliable sources and saves his audience wild speculation and superstitions.This is a well-written book, but depth and length is probably beyond middle school level. However, it is completely appropriate for high school students. While all students may not be enthusiastic about diving head-first into this book, I feel that students looking for more information or engaged in research on this topic should be referred directly to this book. This should be utilized as a resource for studying the witch trials and the drama saved for English class.
    • 3/5
      Witch Hunt is a well researched specialized book with an extensive bibliography investigating the Salem witch trials and its possible explanations. The scope and focus of the book are very acute addressing the causes of this phenomenon and the motivations of those involved. The language level is probably geared toward high schoolers and up. The book is organized as a narrative giving the reader the back story to interpret the events that transpire. A table of contents lists the chapters and subsections, an epilogue, and appendix. Notes and comments, a bibliography and an index are also included. A limited amount of illustrations of individuals or historical sketches are included. I personally liked this book more than I thought I would but I probably would not use it in my science classroom.
    • 4/5
      I wasn’t prepared to like this book but I did. Seeing it on the list, my first thought was why are many high school reading lists made-up of depressing books? That being said I did not find this book depressing. This book is extremely well researched and documented. He includes a timeline, copious notes, bibliography, index. Aronson presents different scenarios that may explain what happened in Salem. Aronson also points out artistic license taken by Arthur Miller in “The Crucible”. Aronson presents different scenarios that may explain what happened in Salem. This was an easy read and many high school students will like it. I would pair it with a reading of “The Crucible”. This lends itself to class discussions and lessons exploring the various explanations.
    • 3/5
      In Witch-Hunt Marc Aronson sets the tone for the book early. In his Note to the Reader he states that much of what you, as well as everybody else, know about the Salem witch trials is wrong. Aronson also says that it is impossible to know what really happened as there is a lack of evidence leaving historical holes in events. As a result, old theories must be reviewed and new theories formulated. Subtext of author's Note to the Reader: this will not be an easy read. I appreciate the complexity and detail of the novel. If Aronson's goal is to splay open and examine the heart of this bizarre historical, cultural, psychological event, it is bound to get messy. Following the book's cast of characters and familial affiliations was as complex as working your way through a royal English bloodline in search of an heir. I found it necessary to create a chart on the inner cover of the book, replete with the various families, their outstanding members and individual characteristics and qualms. Its in-depth exploration of the citizens of Salem exposes a tapestry of greed, revenge, allegiances and ambitions and underscores one of the reasons why this tale will not be a straightforward one. However, adding to the complexity of actual events is the hypothetical and supposed one. A large portion of the book is conjecture. It is fair to say that the suppositions and inferences are noted. "If the Putnams were driven to accuse...If the Putnams were engaged in a conspiracy...The only other sense in which Ann might have described herself as an 'instrument' would be if, as Mary Beth Norton argues..." The chapter The Accuser: Ann Putnam is chalk full of hypothesis about Ann, her life and motives. Sometimes the idea of what Ann might have thought or felt is extremely developed, "If we believe what she told the court, her daily life must have been a torment.Ghosts appeared..." and "She could have been a kind of reverse Carrie-of the Steven King novel." Aronson really attempts to delve into Ann's psyche and make concrete connections for the reader. He does this with many of the characters. However, I found myself, towards the end of the novel, tiring of examining every possible rabbit hole.
    • 4/5
      With a Ph. D. in American history, Aronson seems like the right author to offer insight into a muddled, yet fascinating, time in early colonial America-the Salem Witch Trials. The hysteria of the late 17th century still captivates people, and Aronson methodically works through three phases of the trials- important pre-trial occurrences, the trials themselves, and the aftermath of the witch hunt-in order to see what, if any, sense can be gleaned from the facts. Aronson links family feuds and a fracturing Puritan society together, and while he is able to propose 7 possible reasons for the causation of the trials, no one reason emerges as the total solution. Aronson does show how the victims of the witch hunt were first fringe members of society whom nobody liked, but in the end, even the most respected and established members of the community, like Rebecca Nurse and Mary Easty, were condemned the gallows. I thoroughly enjoyed the text. One criticism I heard is that Aronson jumps from one topic to the next, leaving the reader hanging; however, I read the text more like mini-stories that Aronson wove together in an attempt to create a comprehensive guide or explanation of the witch trials. Of all the books that I've read about the Salem Witch Trials, this one was the most exhaustive and helpful. I think the book is best suited for high school students, given the depth at which Aronson explores the trials (I see middle school students getting lost in the text). I plan to use Aronson's text in conjunction with teaching The Crucible in American literature as a companion piece to the play, perhaps to explain the key differences between nonfiction and historical fiction. I find most of my students want to know more about the trials after reading the play.
    • 3/5
      Aronson's Witch-hunt recounts the Salem witch trials that began in 1692. His objective in this book was to clear up misconceptions regarding these events and discuss new theories as to the cause of the trials. The book was thoroughly researched using a broad collection of sources and actual testimony. As someone who knew very little about the Salem witch trials and the chronology, I found myself a bit lost at times. It seemed to jump around quite a bit. However, I think this would be a great book for someone having a greater knowledge of these events.
    • 3/5
      This book deals with the Salem witch trails that took place in the 17th century in colonial america. The author tries to tell the story of the witch trials. In the beginning of the book, he states how many of the facts that we have taken for granted over the years have become entangled with myth, making the the whole period of history hard to tell the truth from. The book does give the reader the information to make their own decisions about the event. It is a great look into the changes undergoing the Puritan society during that time, both from within and without: war, political infighting, jealousy, mob rule, and rebellion. Aronson does not try to give the answer of what happened. That is for us to decide. He does give many notes and references that allow the reader to continue on with their own reasearch. A good book for an american history class. This book is time consuming for both the class time and the students time. You will need to give your students some background knowledge before reading this book, as well as a dicussion on the differences in language that may cause the students to not understand the transcripts.
    • 4/5
      This book is an interesting book that brings to light new perspective of the Salem Witch Trials. Entertaining and informative, this book appeals to both adults and teens. This book is a refreshing take on The Crucible and I believe will engage students much more so than previous work on this topic.
    • 3/5
      Aronson's Witch-Hunt is a thoroughly researched account of the events that took place surrounding the witch trials that took place in Salem, Mass., 1962. This book may be well researched by a brilliant historian, but it was a burdensome read. I could not get through 20 pages without having to stop and wonder where the story was and how it got here.A contributing factor to this was the overload of specific information, which many adolescent readers may find daunting. There were so many persons and little bits of events that overlapped making it difficult to get a hold on the narrative. The valuable details of these happenings are described, and the main theme of ‘why did this occur’ is supported throughout, but the limited historical evidence surrounding these events lends itself to some very detailed speculation by Aronson. Aronson is an outstanding researcher and historian, and I would have no qualms about presenting his work for a lesson on historical research and using it to fill in the gaps.
    • 4/5
      While the topic presented in Marc Aronson's book "Witch Hunt" is certainly fascinating and the information presented is thoroughly, artfully, and exhaustingly researched, the actual narrative of this history of the Salem witch trials is confusing and scattered. As an adult, I had trouble following the text-- which jumped back and forth and seemed to dwell on insignificant details-- so I can only imagine how middle/high schoolers would feel. This text would be very ambitious to share with adolescent students-- it would require a signficant amount of scaffolding, supplemental literature, and careful planning that could take months to execute. The questions raised-- why did the girls do it?-- and the analysis of how they did it would keep many students focused, but the text would probably prove too challenging to navigate. I think this is much better suited for a college-level history or literature class. I am in awe of Aronson's devotion and energy put into his research-- I just wish the actual storytelling were more coherent and focused.
    • 5/5
      This is an in-depth presentation of the Salem Witchcraft trials of 1692, in which Marc Aronson attempts to address misconceptions and get to the facts of a defining incident in American history. The book contains extensive author's notes and bibliography, an analysis of scholarly approaches to the trials, another analysis of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, and a timeline and notes describing how he will translate old documents and how he will address the issues caused in dating by the Puritans' refusal to adopt the Gregorian calendar. The book is excellent for students in that Aronson accompanies his narrative of the events with an on-going description of his methodology as a historian. I had a few problems with the book. I really wanted to give it four stars, but the incredible scholarship of its construction caused me to (begrudgingly) yield the additional half a star. One issue that is perhaps minor but still irritates me (not that Aronson has done something wrong but that I cannot make a satisfying answer with the book) is that in his note on dating, Aronson points out that New Year's Day was March 25th for the Puritans, and thus interestingly while we record the events at Salem as happening January-October, 1692, the Puritans themselves considered them to occur January-March 24th, 1691, and from March 25th-October, 1692! Interesting and perhaps not important perhaps (Aronson does an excellent job of noting this is the case through the narrative without distracting the reader) except that an event happens February 29th of that year (leap year). Now the February in which the events take place occured for the Puritans in 1691, which would not be a leap year, even if it was for the rest of the world. February 29th for them should have occured next year, long after the trials had run their course. I feel that if Aronson would introduce the complexity of calendrics into the book, that he should have addressed this. A few other minor problems I had included the use of chapter heading illustrations that depicted sinister-looking puppets that were supposed to stand for the state of the trials at that point in the narrative. Admittedly, towards the end, I enjoyed the story-telling through them a little more, but i do feel they were sensationalistic, and did not make the book visually more interesting. In general I found the book visually dense and off-putting. I felt that the way the author discussed some of the broader threads (such as different researcher's paradigms for examining the case) was unyieldy, and though when I found the notes and explanations at the end of the book I felt a little better about this, I felt the author could have used tables, charts or something to organize these ideas. I think it would be unfair for a child to have to read and understand all of this. My serious problem with the book was a failing in the author's writing style. He begins by desclaring that he wants to stick to the facts and not read too much into what records there are, which of course I find laudable. And he does keep coming back to this idea in the text, which is great. BUT, so many times in the book, and sometimes without stating it outright, Aronson does editorialize and read into the text. He goes into psychoanalysis that might have some truth to it, but as an adult reader of the juvenile literature, I become slowly horrified when he tells us what so and so may really have been thinking, though we cannot know for sure, though maybe someone in collusion with some one else, may have considered something like this, though it may have come from deep in their subconscious, maybe possibly from a deep pschosocial wound that maybe certain actions might be trying to heal? Aronson could have stuck more to the facts, like he said he would. That star-reducing concern stated, this book is very excellent. It is (mostly) clear, unbiased and balanced and well-researched. Most of Aronson's opinions and beliefs were reasonable and spot-on, I thought. His survey on the history of academic research on the trials is very fair and concise. He avoids sensationalism, and does not avoid issues that might be difficult for young readers to understand. I would use this book in a history class, only if I was doing an extensive unit on the witchtrials. I would have to use other sources in addition to this book, because I think Aronson's lack of explicitness when giving explanations could confuse younger readers. I could also see this being use in an English class as a companion to The Crucible, maybe to show how a writers use history but also insert their own agendas. Possibly I could see this in a Civics class as an example of what not to do. I would certainly recommend to a student who is studying the Salem Witchtrials to read this book.
    • 4/5
      Marc Aronson wrote a book full of facts and used many primary sources to document his research on the Salem witch trials. While the book was full of useful information (at least what is known historically), there were some spots where I felt bogged down by the facts and found the storyline hard to follow. Aronson explains that there are a lot of holes in the history of what is known about the era, but he did an excellent job of using his sources to come to conclusions about what really took place. There is an index, bibliography, timeline and a notes and comments section at the end of the book to assist the reader. I found I had more questions after reading this book than I did before, but maybe that was Aronson's point in writing the book. All in all, the book is a good read for high school students studying Puritans or the trials themselves, but I feel as though the book is a little advanced for anyone younger.
    • 4/5
      In this book geared at younger authors, Marc Aronson looks at the history surrounding the Salem Witch trials using historical records from the time. Aronson describes what is known about the events and separates fictional events (such as the ones described in The Crucible) from what we know about the time and the people who lived through it.This book would be useful for teachers who want to expose high schoolers to the work of historians. Aronson has an easilly readable style and gives students a glimpse into the science of recreating historical contexts. Instead of just reading what happened in history, students will be exposed to how researchers peice the puzzle together to test hypotheses about the underlying questons of history.
    • 3/5
      As a book written to appeal to teenagers fascinated by witches, Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials is quite engaging, and likely serves its premise well. However, I found the writing to be in many places overly casual and lacking objectivity, as though Aronson is trying to convince his reader that this all makes sense his way. It felt at times like he was talking down to his audience. Often times, his writing feels disjointed, as though he is having a conversation with you, and I kept expecting him to write "come on, you know what i mean...?".This book professes to allow you to make up your own opinion about the events of the Salem Witch Trials, but I found it to be nevertheless very leading in its objective. It was informative, and had good information for the reader, however should not be used as an objective, stand alone text, and provides little addition insight if used as a supplementary text.In all, I would keep looking for a book on the subject to use in my classroom.
    • 5/5
      This Sibert award winning book is by the very competent and well-regarded author Marc Aronson. I place it in the document, journal, diaries, and albums category. It excels in all criteria used to judge accuracy. The author has great crednetials in the area of American history. It has passed muster with a mainline publisher - Simon Schuster. The book has an impressive bibliography with much reliance on primary sources as well as modern forensic evaluation of the existing primary sources. Footnotes are extensive and provide more interesting information where it would be intrusive in the text. The use of primary source information is essential in attempting to understand this most wierd event in American history. i would judge the most likely reader of this to be pre-teen and teen girls. the cover of the paperback edition seems geared to woe that reader. There is a mysterious, dark-clad young female on the cover. There is nothing to suggest that this a true story from 300 years ago. I would think that some young readers pick this up thinking it might be some fantasy thriller. All of the access/format features are excellent. The table of contents to the index are helpful in guiding the reader through the book. The chapter headings and beginning hooks all lure the reader in. The author's synthesis of the modern forensic evaluations of this event are great.Why do I hate the book? For one I found the endless recitations of all the possible meanings and questions very off-putting. Secondly I don't like reading about these events because I believe that human nature is very consistent and I find certain characteristics tend to produce these type of events repeatedly. I find it threatening because I find these same characteristics of extreme religious beliefs, intolerance, and self-rightousness present today. When the added anti-female bias or female as the root of all evil bias surfaces, I think of the Islamic fundamentalists and the Christian extremists. I just find it too depressing because I think that these mindsets cannot discharge their venom until their behavior becomes so extreme that society forces them to stop. I also wonder if young readers find all of the unanswered questions posed in the book a turn-off.
    • 3/5
      Marc Aronson's Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials is a nonfiction articulation of the dramatic events of the Salem Witch Trials which took place in colonial Massachusetts during 1690's. This work digs into the perceived causes and reasons for the haunting accusations of witchcraft which led to the death of over twenty individuals. From the basis of their Puritan faith, the superstitious lore and struggles of the New World, to the bitter dispute between residents, the citizens of Salem seemed to have led themselves far from the ideals of the hard, sought after, perfect society which motivated their migrations to the New World.Aronson delivers a great depth of historical research which illustrates the shifting paradigms developed to explain the circumstances of the Salem community. Found in the “Epilogue”, is the various reasoning which historians have attributed to the behaviors of those key figures involved in indictments, trials, and executions of "witches". The strength of this work comes from the considerations of these historical paradigms. Aronson, throughout the text, leaves many ideas open-ended. Things such as motives behind the accusations which spark the trials and the practicing of witchcraft by the accused individuals are left to be interpreted by the reader. This provides the opportunity for debate and creative thinking for readers. On the other hand, readers may be too inundated with references for which they may not be familiar. For example, young readers may not be familiar with references to The Crucible or other works alluding to various aspects of the witch trials.This work is very dynamic in its used, and I recommend this work as inclusion to the study of the Puritans, religious ethics, and/or superstitious culture.
    • 3/5
      In this book Marc Aronson looks at the Salem Witch Trials and the many different perspectives that people have come to over the years. He presents the reader with the facts and allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusion as to what really happened. Teachers can use this book after reading the Crucible; it would allow students to see what is fact and what is fiction. History teachers can use this book to show students what life was like for Puritans at the time of the trials. English teachers can have students write an essay stating what he or she believes may have been the reason behind the witch trials and why. I found Aronson's style to be difficult for high school students. I fund myself having to re-read sentences over and over again because I had lost focus or because I could not comprehend what he was trying to say. I think high school students may struggle with the reading. They would prefer something with a simpler sentence structure. I also found parts of it dull. Aronson organized the book so that it followed the chronological order of the trills. He includes a table of contents, and chapters are broken into subchapters. Many of the chapter titles do not exactly give away why the chapter discusses. The author also includes a timeline of events that took place in England and the New World, as well as events during the Salem witch trials. He also includes notes and comments that show where he found particular information like a citation. The book also has a bibliography and a detailed index. The reader can see that Aronson researched his information thoroughly. While this book did not interest me, I can see that it does contain useful information. Teachers and librarians will find this book helpful, especially if their students have further questions after reading the Crucible. This would be a good addition to any library.
    • 5/5
      This book is loaded with information- from an introduction that explains sources and varying historical viewpoints, a detailed narrative including pictures and informative captions, an epilogue, a timeline of events and notes and comments on sources. It is very clear that Aronson has done his research and is very passionate about this event in history. While the missing details (always acknowledged by Aronson) can be frustrating they also add to the level of mystery that intrigues readers about the Salem Witch Trials. For young readers I think this book accomplishes two important objectives outside of learning about this time period. First, it forces readers to understand how history involves a lot of interpretation (the epilogues goes into great detail on this.) It also asks the reader to think critically and draw their own conclusions about the evidence. While Aronson has his own interpretation, he reveals all the possibilities and allows the reader to stray from his story for at least to question the evidence. It is very important that students understand that there are always gaps in history and that we need to think critically to fully understand the evidence we have. Further, Aronson asks us to apply this particular story to other instances in history of questioning in the time of crisis. If this book were to be used in a history class it would be imperative to draw connections between 9/11, the Cold War among other events. The lesson would not be solely on the 17th century and Puritainism, but also to larger themes in social action and psychology. While these connections are evident, Aronson doesn't reveal them until the end of the book. For this reason this text might be too in-depth for a history class, especially whereas the Salem Witch Trials are a very small portion if even covered at all in U.S. history courses. However, I would strongly consider using this book if I taught a Psychology course. There is an opportunity to go into greater depth about the motivations of all the individuals in this book, as well as to examine the social dynamics of the group. This would be a great book for students to think critically about human action and thought. There were several times when I had big questions while reading- but how do the girls think they will get away with this? Don't they feel guilt for their actions, especially as they are devout Christians? and other questions. Aronson made me wait until the end to get an answer to my questions. This is an effective draw for the reader to keep turning pages.
    • 5/5
      The Salem Witch Trials is one of the most discussed events prior to formation of the United States. I assumed I was somewhat knowledgeable about the topic but like most popular events in history, it is surrounded around myths and exaggerated claims. Marc Aronson’s “Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials” does an excellent job and debunking various myths associated with these events. He also raises plenty of vital questions, which he admits he may not have the answers to, but creates a nice narrative for his audience (teens and young adults). Remember, most of the accused were teenagers.I admire how he details a lot of the history surrounding the events. These problems started brewing in the 1680’s and boiled over until 1692. It wasn’t just a case of someone acting strange and the town going crazy. It is also important to discuss in depth the Puritans themselves and provide a little background of their lifestyle, which he does in the beginning, since that is very important in the way they operated in regards to witchcraft, or anything “foreign”. They feared anything “devil”-like and seemed to live in constant paranoia (Indians, Catholics, Quakers, etc. all surrounded them). On page 28, Aronson sums up the Puritans in a way we can understand them today-“… they were like those fundamentalists of all religions today who can justify extreme measures against others- whether that be attacking U.S. cities, killing doctors who perform abortions, or settling in occupied territories- on the grounds that they have a divine right to take them.”This is a much different and realistic view of the Puritans than commonly portrayed in American schools. To give the readers some more insight, he offers a timeline for Puritan history, a plethora of notes and comments, and a nice bibliography, making this book an excellent reference book for anyone interested in the topic.Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I felt like I had more questions at the end of the book than I did in the beginning. He opened up new ideas for me about these events. Unfortunately also, although this is a great book about the topic, I would not require my students to read it. In American History you can’t go too far into one certain topic or else you wouldn’t be able to focus on other topics. It is long as well. I would recommend it to my students and read certain excerpts from it, but not use it in its entirety. I recommend this book on anyone interested in this topic before I recommend other books, including The Crucible, which has a lot of fiction and political implications more so than keeping with the facts like Marc Aronson.