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mkaybaker07's review against another edition
4.0
The most famous witch hunt of the 17th century is without a doubt Salem, but Godbeer provides insight into a less traumatic experience in Connecticut. This book uses court transcripts from a trial in which two women were accused of being witches. I really enjoyed how the writing style allowed this to read like a novel while still informing the reader of their misconceptions of New England witch hunts. I would recommend this to people who aren't taking a history class, its just that good and that readable.
mayawata_'s review against another edition
4.0
Learned a lot from this book! I didn’t realize the people in the book were real (despite my professor telling the class they were) lol!
valentinaaacr's review against another edition
3.0
Escaping Salem by Richard Godbeer is a historical non-fiction based on historical records of less well-known witch trials, specifically the trials occurred in Stamford, Connecticut in 1692, the same year as the famous Salem witch trials took place. By writing this book, Godbeer intended to debunk the misconception –born from the panic of the Salem witch hunts– of the trials being led by paranoid, violent, and irrational townsfolk, but rather that these trials that were systematic and somewhat level-headed were, in fact, the norm.
The Stamford trials began when Katherine Branch, a maidservant in the Wescot household, suddenly fell ill and was victim of violent fits; she accused several women of bewitching her and causing her fits, she claimed they wanted her to become a witch like them and venerate the devil. Two of these women were put on trial. Escaping Salem gives us the point of view of a lot of people involved in the trials, from skeptical townsfolk that took care of Katherine thinking her illness was of natural cause, to those that tried to perform experiments on her to prove she was bewitched, to her patrons, the Wescots, and even Magistrate Jonathan whom questions these trials for how can they determine someone is guilty of something they cannot see.
The book is written in chronological order; however, whenever a significant character is introduced, Godbeer goes into detail about their background and the reason they are significant to the story. But other than that, it is a straightforward story and can be read as a novel. This book did not simply take on an academic approach, it does not just talk about the facts, but also about the people involved, their daily lives and how they were affected by these events, their emotions and thoughts as well. Godbeer presented perspectives that are often overlooked; by telling the characters backstories, it is easier to understand the moral and emotional weight upon the people in charge of the trials, and what it would mean for the women accused if they were found guilty. It was very interesting to see how the people from Stamford was very conscious about all these things and really tried to do the best they could.
My favorite thing about this book was being able to see how each of the characters thought, and I really appreciated how the magistrates were aware that the evidence they had against the accused was insufficient to convict them. But I will say that my least favorite part of reading this book was that sometimes it felt like it was just rambling about unimportant things, and I often found myself getting bored and distracted. But it was not so bad that I could not get through, I really enjoyed this book and would read it again with pleasure. I will be recommending this book to those who want to learn more about the witch trials, I feel like this is such a relevant story often overlooked; even I was surprised to learn that the witch hunts in Salem were atypical. This book gave me a new perspective and had me often wondering if the occult is not such a far-fetched idea, and I am excited to keep on learning about these events.
The Stamford trials began when Katherine Branch, a maidservant in the Wescot household, suddenly fell ill and was victim of violent fits; she accused several women of bewitching her and causing her fits, she claimed they wanted her to become a witch like them and venerate the devil. Two of these women were put on trial. Escaping Salem gives us the point of view of a lot of people involved in the trials, from skeptical townsfolk that took care of Katherine thinking her illness was of natural cause, to those that tried to perform experiments on her to prove she was bewitched, to her patrons, the Wescots, and even Magistrate Jonathan whom questions these trials for how can they determine someone is guilty of something they cannot see.
The book is written in chronological order; however, whenever a significant character is introduced, Godbeer goes into detail about their background and the reason they are significant to the story. But other than that, it is a straightforward story and can be read as a novel. This book did not simply take on an academic approach, it does not just talk about the facts, but also about the people involved, their daily lives and how they were affected by these events, their emotions and thoughts as well. Godbeer presented perspectives that are often overlooked; by telling the characters backstories, it is easier to understand the moral and emotional weight upon the people in charge of the trials, and what it would mean for the women accused if they were found guilty. It was very interesting to see how the people from Stamford was very conscious about all these things and really tried to do the best they could.
My favorite thing about this book was being able to see how each of the characters thought, and I really appreciated how the magistrates were aware that the evidence they had against the accused was insufficient to convict them. But I will say that my least favorite part of reading this book was that sometimes it felt like it was just rambling about unimportant things, and I often found myself getting bored and distracted. But it was not so bad that I could not get through, I really enjoyed this book and would read it again with pleasure. I will be recommending this book to those who want to learn more about the witch trials, I feel like this is such a relevant story often overlooked; even I was surprised to learn that the witch hunts in Salem were atypical. This book gave me a new perspective and had me often wondering if the occult is not such a far-fetched idea, and I am excited to keep on learning about these events.
livbretagne's review against another edition
4.0
A very good book and a nice quick read.
I had to read Escaping Salem for my American Religion class in University. To be completely honest, if I would have stumbled across this book on my own, instead of it being assigned I would have read it.
Escaping Salem, takes on a very narrative perspective.. almost like a historical fiction would. Towards the end of the book however, more actual information form the cases and events get pushed towards you in a very non narrative way.
I had to read Escaping Salem for my American Religion class in University. To be completely honest, if I would have stumbled across this book on my own, instead of it being assigned I would have read it.
Escaping Salem, takes on a very narrative perspective.. almost like a historical fiction would. Towards the end of the book however, more actual information form the cases and events get pushed towards you in a very non narrative way.
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