A Storm of Witchcraft

In January 1692, Salem Village in colonial Massachusetts experienced a devastating outbreak of witchcraft, which led to the infamous Salem Witch Trials and the execution of 19 villagers. The hysteria stemmed from a combination of mysterious torments experienced primarily by young women, who claimed to be afflicted by invisible spirits. Historian Emerson Baker explores the complex factors that contributed to this "perfect storm," including religious crises, political conflicts, and local war hysteria, while examining the perspectives of the accused, the afflicted, and the judicial authorities involved. This seminal work provides a thorough account of the events that shaped an American tragedy whose legacy endures to this day.