It felt like Schiff was writing directly to me-it was raw, honest, conversational history that was written in a way that made me feel like I was living it. It was utterly unlike any other history book I have ever read, to my great surprise and delight. Honestly this book was so magical that if we lived in 1692 I think Stacy Schiff would be hanged as a witch. But how many of us can say that we have been there, squinting in the smoky dark meeting house where the trials were held, smelling the wet ash and the acidity of fresh pressed cider, and seeing the fear of the accused as they are taken to the gallows? Miraculously, after reading Schiff's The Witches I think I can say that I have. We have all heard of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, when fourteen women and five men (as well as two dogs) were executed for witchcraft.
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