"The Penguin Book of Witches" by Katherine Howe

This was a very interesting compilation of court documents from the New England witch trials, including Salem, from the 16th up to the 19th century. Although these are hard to read now a days they do cast an interesting glimpse at the very facts that were being perceived as actual evidence in the cases. They bring to vivid life the sheer hopelessness and terror that the persecuted must have lived in and give a close up view of the working of the Puritan collective at the time. Yes, there were many factors that contributed to the mass outbreaks of accusations and hangings, and yes, many of these names may be familiar to you. However, by the time you have finished reading this book you will see these times in a much more profound manner and that is the real challenge in reading this book, not the archaic language but a glimpse into a dark period of American history that could too easily be repeated even in modern times under a different banner. Great addition to a scholar's library.