Salem Possessed

The Social Origins of Witchcraft

By: Stephen Nissenbaum, Paul Boyer

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

Tormented girls writhing in agony, stern judges meting out harsh verdicts, 19 bodies swinging on Gallows Hill. The stark immediacy of what happened in 1692 has obscured the complex web of human passion that climaxed in the Salem witch trials.

From rich and varied sources - many neglected and unknown - Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum give us a picture of the people and events more intricate and more fascinating than any other in the massive literature. It is a story of powerful and deeply divided families and of a community determined to establish an independent identity - beset by restraints and opposition from without and factional conflicts from within - and a minister whose obsessions helped to bring this volatile mix to the flash point.

Not simply a dramatic and isolated event, the Salem outbreak has wider implications for our understanding of developments central to the American experience: the disintegration of Puritanism, the pressures of land and population in New England towns, the problems besetting farmer and householder, the shifting role of the church, and the powerful impact of commercial capitalism.

©1974 The President and Fellows of Harvard College (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The authors' whole approach to the Salem disaster is canny, rewarding, and sure to fascinate readers interested in that aberrant affair." (The Atlantic)

Interesting to a point

Material was interesting but difficult to follow, although whether that is due to the complicated material or the truly annoying narrator. Focus is mainly socio-economic but wanders off at the end into psychological nonsense.

A socio-economic look at the Salem Witch Trials

Fascinating exploration into what may have lead to the deaths of so many people in a small community

Great consideration given to the events of Salem Massachusetts.

Great writing and narration. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a lot! The book is packed with information yet written in a very digestible manner. Very good narration I enjoyed his style and cadence.

Meh

I had to read this for a history class. The concept of a differing viewpoint was intriguing. I feel like the author did not execute this well. They incorporated aspects that really were not necessary to the plot.

Had to read for class

That made it not very fun. I’m glad it’s on here though, and double glad because it’s free!