The Witches

Salem, 1692

By: Stacy Schiff

Narrated by: Eliza Foss

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the #1 national bestseller Cleopatra unpacks the mystery of the Salem Witch Trials.

“The Witches is the fullest and finest story ever told about Salem in 1692, and no one else could tell it with the otherworldly flair of Stacy Schiff.” ―Joseph J. Ellis, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Quartet

It began in 1692, over an exceptionally raw Massachusetts winter, when a minister's daughter began to scream and convulse. It ended less than a year later, but not before 19 men and women had been hanged and an elderly man crushed to death.

The panic spread quickly, involving the most educated men and prominent politicians in the colony. Neighbors accused neighbors, parents and children each other. Aside from suffrage, the Salem Witch Trials represent the only moment when women played the central role in American history. In curious ways, the trials would shape the future republic.

As psychologically thrilling as it is historically seminal, The Witches is Stacy Schiff's account of this fantastical story—the first great American mystery unveiled fully for the first time by one of our most acclaimed historians.

“Once again Stacy Schiff dazzles us. The Witches is a must read for anyone intrigued by this baffling and horrifying chapter from America's Puritan past. What Schiff uncovers is mesmerizing and shocking. Her meticulous research and lyrical writing lay bare an injustice that we should never forget-lest we repeat it.” ―Patricia Cornwell, author of True Crime and the Scarpetta novels

Excellently Detailed!

This dark time in U.S. history has always been of interest to me. The author, and narrator, have the unique ability of bringing the past to life, in this extraordinary novel!

I do love the details, however, which may seem a nuisance to others. The whole story is in the details.

I was emotionally wrecked and angered by the people too afraid to stop the madness, and absolutely full of hatred for those who manipulated the situation. Every side of humanity was brought to light, and I was hooked the entire time.

The narrative was superb, as was the novel. I definitely recommend to lovers of this particular subject, and those looking for an in-depth historical novel.

Great Narration!

The author and narrator really brings this book to life and makes you feel like you know what the people in the Salem Witch Trials were thinking.

Reader is important

I was slightly appalled at how cheerful the reader was in delivering such a grim and historically horrific depiction of one of America's darker chapters. I first read the book and was then jarred by this interpretation. She wasn't a bad reader, but her skills may be better served in the realm of lighter subject matter. Kind of creepy, actually

So much to learn about ourselves

I loved Eliza Foss's narration. she doesn't make different voices for characters - which I find perfect for this type of biographical/historical work.

I was loving the book up to around June, July of 1692 and after that for reasons I can't totally explain, I felt it became harder to follow and more disinteresting. Then, it picked up again close to the end, on the last two chapters. That's the reason for the 4 Stars. (Well, after I finished writing the review I revised my rating to 5 Stars and came here to add this comment. Despite what I just said, the book is great. Maybe I was just not paying too much attention or it was too hard on me to think about myself while reading some parts.)

I can't help myself to see this story being more of a self discovery one than one about discovering who the others are.

In the words of Susannah Martin, one of the accused of being a witch, and killed because of that when asked if she thought that the girls who were having fits of convulsion were bewitched, she simply answered, "No, I do not think they are."

How would I answer that question?, that's the question I am asking myself. And depending on what answer I get it will tell me a lot about who I am, much more than it will tell you about the ones I would be referring to.

a riveting account!

The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff is a very Interesting book by a historian who spent 4 1/2 years researching and writing facts about the Salem Witch Trials. I think she put together a good account ... Only 71 years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock the 1st newspaper was still years away from happening and the whole population of New England in 1692 would fit in a baseball stadium today. Research must have been difficult but Stacy Schiff delivers a riveting account of this dark period in American history. "THE WITCHES: SALEM, 1692" is sure to please ❤️