Witches

The History of a Persecution

By: Nigel Cawthorne

Narrated by: Gabrielle Glaister

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

When bigotry and power mania take control, disaster always follows for subjugated persons - even when the power is wielded by the Church.

Witchcraft was viewed as devil-worship. Between 1450 and 1750, 100,000 people were accused, subject to the most bestial tortures and usually executed. Witches examines the wildfire-spread of witch-hunting across Europe and America, revealing the disturbing and brutal realities of these witch hunts and their roots in misogyny and religious persecution.

It includes:

• Letters and trial testimonies from those charged with witchcraft, as well as some from self-proclaimed witches
• Biographic detail of key witch hunters, such as Matthew Hopkins (the so-called "Witchfinder General"), who was responsible for hundreds of executions
• Accounts of famous witch trials, from Chelmsford to Salam

Nigel Cawthorne doesn’t shy away from the violent details of this persecution, exploring the events as they transpired, the contexts that triggered them, and tracing it back to its source.

©2019 Arcturus Holdings Limited (P)2022 Arcturus Publishing Limited

Exactly what it says on the cover

A fine example of "as advertised, as delivered," Cawthorne's book offers a european history of witch hunts, unfair trials, corrupt systems, and unjustly executed people. It's a bit like drinking from the fire hose after case upon case comes across the page.
As a reader who was curious but was not deeply invested in the topic, it was a bit overwhelming. The recurring themes and echoes across countries and instances will stick with me but many of the specific cases fall victim to being very much like the one that precedes it, and the one proceeding.
Overall glad I read it, and it will be a fantastic reference for a student somewhere. Was a little dry for a recreational read, but I am by no means criticizing the overall work. Just didn't 100% gel with what I was in the mood for, but it's great for what it is.

A necessary history lesson

As a history buff, I enjoyed Nigel Cawthorne's "Witches." Of course, due to the subject matter discussed (including brutal torture, misogyny, trauma, etc.), this book is not for the faintest of heart. Cawthorne traces the history of religious persecutions through the centuries. The book examines the roots of the Salem witch trials, and the many years of corruption, resulting in the deaths of many unfortunate individuals. Beyond physical torture, Cawthorne also documents rampant sexual abuse involving the religious institutions of the times. This is a sad story, but necessary history to be studied.

A merciless look at the misdeeds of the Church

Listening to this book, one no longer wonders why the Church, even in the 21st century, delivers practically only negative headlines. One only wonders why this organisation with all its subgroups has not been completely abolished long ago.
This book about the history of witch hunts is excellently written and relentlessly shows what crimes against humanity are constantly committed in the name of religion.