Between February 1692 and May 1693, Massachusetts entered a dark period, accusing and prosecuting over 200 people for witchcraft. What started as a group of young girls exhibiting unexplained behaviors soon turned into the infamous period of convictions and executions, fueled further by religious beliefs, social tensions, and mass hysteria.
Many books have been written on this troubled time in colonial Massachusetts, highlighting the horrifying history and showing us all the importance of critical thinking and due process. Whether you’re a history fan, a paranormal fan, or someone looking for a good read, we wanted to pull our faves off the shelf and make your search that much easier. While we love our books on ghost hunting, expanding our paranormal knowledge into other realms is equally as fun.
Let’s get into it.
When a Pulitzer Prize winner writes a book about something, we must read it. Stacy Schiff’s The Witches is a fantastic book describing the Salem Witch Trials. Starting from the beginning and moving into the trials, Schiff does a great job at providing context to not only the specific event, but also contributing factors. Schiff’s compelling narrative and fresh perspective on this event creates an awesome read that was hard to put down.
Author: Stacy Schiff
Page Count: 512
Publication Date: 2015
In what some consider to be the book on all things Salem and witches, A Storm of Witchcraft is a nice balance of research and prose. What Baker does really well is set up the world of hysteria by reminding us of the main drivers to these trials, being religion and hysteria. But he also explains the human emotions behind these trials in a larger study on people.
Author: Emerson W. Baker
Page Count: 416
Publication Date: 2014
The first of two books on our list by Roach, this is a complete day-to-day account of this infamous period, one not seen before. It’s well written, provides great insights, and explores rare detail on the trials, a testament to Roach’s diligent research. This book is definitely an entertaining read.
Author: Marilynne K. Roach
Page Count: 752
Publication Date: 2004
Taking a more scholarly approach, Godbeer explores history, beliefs, and the fears that added fuel to an already roaring fire. With great primary resources and documents, mixed with an expert’s take on the subject, this book is a nice read for someone looking to dive into more fine-tuned details of the event.
Author: Richard Godbeer
Page Count: 224
Publication Date: 2011
In Six Women of Salem, Roach takes a very unique approach by examining the lives of six women, their accusers, and their neighbors. It’s detailed, it’s informative, and it’s immersive, connecting you with real people suffering from the hysteria nearly four centuries ago. We absolutely love the angle Roach took to put stories to just a few of the many names who were accused.
Author: Marilynne K. Roach
Page Count: 445
Publication Date: 2013
Gagnon creates the first full account of an accused woman in Salem, and one with a story you wouldn’t expect. A 71-year old grandmother named Rebecca Nurse was a well-respected member of her community and was still accused of witchcraft. Gagnon takes on the research to craft a full picture of Nurse’s life and the events that ultimately led to her accusation and sentencing. It’s a fascinating and well-written book about this period of time through the story of just one person.
Author: Daniel A. Gagnon
Page Count: 400
Publication Date: 2021
No list of books about the Salem Witch Trials is complete with Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Based on real people and events, Miller’s classic play mirrors the hysteria of 1950’s McCarthyism. It truly is a wonderful and thought-provoking play.
Author: Arthur Miller
Page Count: 143
Publication Date: 1953
Kathleen Kent’s The Heretic’s Daughter is a captivating and powerful story centered around this terrible time. The protagonist witnessed her mother accused and executed of witchcraft as a child. In attempts to protect her family, she must make difficult and impactful choices. It’s an inspiring fictional look at the personal and emotional toll of these trials.
Author: Kathleen Kent
Page Count: 332
Publication Date: 2009
From the perspective of three young women, Stephanie Hemphill’s novel explores the hysteria and result of one’s actions. As the trials intensify, the girls face a moral dilemma on whether to reveal the truth. There’s tension and a sense of unease at how ordinary people can be involved with something so evil.
Author: Stephanie Hemphill
Page Count: 432
Publication Date: 2013
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