It is generally accepted that there was a grave
miscarriage of justice, that religious zealots persecuted innocent
people for no good reason, and innocent men and women were executed for
witchcraft.
It has been debated whether or not the accusations surfaced as a result
of fraud and/or hysteria.
What is ignored in this debate is that there was actual witchcraft
practiced in colonial New England. Chadwick
Hansen in Witchcraft at Salem argued that there was actual
witchcraft, but that its power was purely psychological. Without
completely rejecting that argument, William H. Cooke in Justice at Salem argues that more could have been
at work.
Nevertheless, Cooke does not completely exonerate the prosecutors and
judges in the witch trials. Most of the accused were likely innocent.
Correct legal procedures were not always followed. In the fight against
the perceived threat of witches, the protections of the law were
sometimes abandoned. In the pursuit of security, liberty was lost. In
that sense, the Puritans weren't so different from us, Cooke argues, as
he draws parallels to the War on Terror. And the fact that the guilty
practiced a religion that was offensive to the majority did not justify
persecuting them. But at the time witchcraft was perceived as a grave
threat to the existence of the colony and not without good reason.
Justice
at Salem takes a detailed look at the
cases of five individuals charged with witchcraft: Bridget Bishop,
Sarah Good, George Burroughs, Tituba, and Samuel Wardwell, and also
looks at the events that helped to start and end the trials. Witty,
irreverent and sarcastic at times, well researched (be sure to read the
endnotes), and timely, Cooke's book is a breath of fresh air to the
typical drivel that passes as popular history about the Salem witch
trials.
1. Why should I buy this book when you are giving it away for free?
I am only giving away the ebook. My hope is that you will read a
few pages, like it, but get tired of reading it online (it hurts your
eyes, you can't take it to the beach, etc.), and will buy a copy.
2. Since your book is licensed by the Creative Commons can I print out
your book and sell it myself?
No. The ebook can be distributed for non-commercial
purposes. If you want to use my book for commercial purposes
please contact me and maybe we can work something out.
3. If I read the ebook and like it, can I send you money?
Yes. Use the Paypal feature on this page.
4. Will this book be available in my local bookstore?
Probably not, but you can ask them to order it.
I hope to have this book in a few
local bookstores around Baltimore, Annapolis, and Salem soon.
5. I own or work at a bookstore and would like to sell your
book. Can you help me?
Yes. And all books are fully returnable if not sold. Please
contact me. My email address is below.
6. Are you available to speak about this subject? If so, what do you
charge?
I am happy to speak about this subject. Travel expenses and whatever
you want to give me is fine. Alcohol is usually an acceptable
payment. Tobacco also is good.
What Happened during the 
