A Delusion of Satan
Subtitle: The Full Story of the Salem Witch Trials
By: Frances Hill.
Edition: lst ed.
Publisher: Doubleday
Published: 1995
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 269
Subjects: Trials (Witchcraft) -- Massachusetts -- Salem.; Witchcraft -- Massachusetts -- Salem -- History.; Salem (Mass.) -- Social conditions.
Description: The Salem witch-hunt and trials have captured the attention and imagination of young and old for centuries. Now Frances Hill guides us through the thickets of history and explains in clear and factual terms exactly what went on during that horrifying period between 1691 and 1693 when over one hundred men, women, and children were shackled in the dank prisons of Salem, charged with witchcraft.

Ultimately, nineteen were hanged at Gallows Hill, one was pressed to death under a pile of stones, and many others simply languished in prison for months on end, helplessly losing their families, homes, and possessions. Many lost their lives, not a few their sanity. But what really happened? Were the accused truly evil in some way? And if not, how could a group of teenagers work such a cruel and convincing outcome?

Drawing on the insights of modern psychology and feminism, A Delusion of Satan answers these questions and more, and forces us to recognize hints of "witch-hunts" in the McCarthyism of the recent past and in current events like alleged child-abuse cases.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [251]-255) and index.
Table of contents: title: Sowing the dragon's teeth -- A witch cake -- The hand of Satan -- The nightmare of a religion -- New England night-birds -- A thing like a man -- Brother against brother -- Church of Putnam -- "As breath into the wind" -- The yellow bird -- Secret enemies -- Diabolical malice -- One of you is a devil -- Apparitions of a hundred persons -- A black man with an hat -- Into the unknown -- A wheel within a wheel -- Such horrid lies -- A bold fellow with his hat on -- Loud cries and clamours -- Full of grief -- The hanging tree -- "I know I must die" -- Satan's desire -- The guilt of innocent blood.