The specter of Salem, Written by Gretchen A. Adams, published in 2008, is a book which discusses several different issues concerning the witch trials of Salem, such as accusing patterns, capital crime for witchcraft, court order, executions, legal procedures, and historians interpretations of all.  Just as we did in class, when we discussed historian justification of trial and execution for the Salem Witch trials.  Eleven different times, this book refers to one the previously mentioned areas concerning witchcraft trials.  A quote from page 17 of the book concerning the execution, he recommended to the court that defendants whose witchcraft-related crimes were “lesser” not to executed upon conviction; more significantly, if the accused confessed and made a ‘solemn, open, and public renunciation of the devil, her life should be spared.”  This quote describes perfectly the film over the Salem witchcraft trials, titled The Crucible. 

Witchcraft of Salem, written by Chadwick Hansen, published in New York, 1969, is a book whose message is to try to set straight the record of the witchcraft phenomena at Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1692, about which much has been written and much misunderstood.  According the book, the traditional interpretation of what happened at Salem is as much the product of journalism and imaginative literature as it is of historical scholarship.  Yet the facts are quite contrary to the common assumptions.   The truth is witchcraft actually did exist and was widely practice in 17^th century New England.  It then worked its way over to New England.  Mass Hysteria was one the largest components that helped encourage the bizarre phenomena of witchcraft.  Just as we discussed in class.

Selected Letter of Cotton Mather, compiled with commentary by Kenneth Silverman, published in 1971, is a conglomerate of different letters and entries of Cotton Mather, some relating the Salem Witch Trials, some not.  Five different times though, Mather refers to either the town of Salem, Massachusetts, or the witch trials of Salem.   Cotton Mather, a preacher, had his convictions tested by the outbreak of the persecution for witchcraft in Salem.  Mather’s letters concerning the witchcraft appeared in print in the nineteenth century.   But the original holographs have been lost with time.  Mather’s letters made clear, common sense, respect for the law, and sheer self-preservation made him oppose the Salem Trials, but as learned in class, Mather has quite an impact on the chaos and pandemonium related to the trials.

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 brought about much chaos and paranoia to the people of the time.  Cotton Mather contributed his fair share of influencing what happened.  It was a dark and dangerous time to be living in Salem, Massachusetts.  I have learned a lot from reading all these books, and learning about the trials, and I must say, I am thankful to live in a time where things such as this are all but extinct.