The Salem Witch Trials Re-examined
In Light Of New Evidence
by
Stephen Hawley Martin
An Award Winning Author
Investigates his Ancestor's Trial and Execution
Findings by University of Virginia researchers have compelled award winning author Stephen Hawley Martin to reconsider what led to the 1692 witch hysteria that ravaged the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Hence this new edition of his 4.5 star rated book first published in 2006. Martin writes now, after 325 years, U.Va.'s discovery provides the missing piece of the puzzle that makes the others fall into place.
Nineteen were hanged, including the author's seven times great grandmother, one was crushed to death, and five died in prison. Why? Were the so called "afflicted" faking their symptoms as many historians maintain? Martin didn't think so in 2006, and he does not think so now. He pursues several avenues of investigation that include the power of belief, the possibility indicated by quantum physics experiments that thought creates reality, and arrives at an explanation thought to be impossible until the U.Va. findings were released.
"A Witch in the Family" is nothing less than a riveting, real life murder mystery - the ultimate reality show no one who wants to know the truth should miss.
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MY THOUGHTS
In 1692 Massachusetts Bay Colony was the scene of hysteria. Witches were on everyone's minds. We've all read or heard of the Salem Witch Trials where supposed witches were burned at the stake for practicing witchcraft or even been accused of doing so with no evidence. The author is a direct descendent of one of the victims who was hanged for witchcraft. Susannah North Martin, seven times his great grandmother wasn't one who went with what the men said women should do and be. Women were supposed to be submissive and were to be second to men, walk behind the men. But not Susannah, she wasn't going to be submissive. Could she have been a witch? What started all the hysteria to begin with? Fear? Fear of things that were different and they didn't understand? During the time of the trials, nineteen were hung, one was crushed to death and five died in prison. Was there credence in their deaths? The only thing I can think of is pure fear. Fear a spell would be cast on them. A lot I believe was misunderstanding of what exactly witchcraft was. Was it to some just mixing of herbs, black cats as pets and being different? Or was it to some, the actual casting of spells on people that caused afflictions on them. Some feel the afflictions were fake just to get the witch to hang, others feel the afflictions were real, actually cast by the so called witch. I've read about witches, there are good and bad, white and black witchcraft. But back then, a lot of things happened, a lot of people died because a few, a mere few stirred a frenzy of some being witches without cause. I'm sure with the author's seven times great grand mother being hung for witchcraft put real questions and unexplained situations in the author's mind. I'm sure his research is for answers to what exactly was the truth and what wasn't. Very interesting book about a part of history that was very real. Witchcraft was considered an evil power that only a few possessed from Satan. Most of the women and men who were hung for witchcraft were innocent and they were Christians. The thing was the supposed evidence against them was circumstantial but was taken as the gospel truth. Read this book with an open mind and put yourself back in those times. Fear of the unknown, Satan, evil doings ruled whether the person was innocent or guilty. One good book, especially if you're interested in witches and witchcraft. It's all in what your interpretation is.
I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily decided to review it.
I would give this book 5 STARS.
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