A Delusion of Satan

The Full Story of the Salem Witch Trials

By: Frances Hill

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

During the bleak winter of 1692 in the rigid Puritan community of Salem Village, Massachusetts, a group of young girls began experiencing violent fits, allegedly tormented by Satan and the witches who worshipped him. From the girls' initial denouncing of an Indian slave, the accusations soon multiplied. In less than two years, 19 men and women were hanged, one was pressed to death, and over a hundred others were imprisoned and impoverished. 

This evenhanded and now-classic history illuminates the horrifying episode with visceral clarity, from the opportunistic Putnam clan, who fanned the crisis to satisfy personal vendettas and greed, to four-year-old "witch" Dorcas Good, who was chained to a dank prison wall in darkness till she went mad. By placing the distant period of the Salem witch trials in the larger context of more contemporary eruptions of mass hysteria and intolerance, the author has created a work as thought-provoking as it is emotionally powerful.

©1995 Frances Hill (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Hill reminds us that 'witch-hunts are still with us'." ( Booklist)

A new take on the Witch Trials

Would you listen to A Delusion of Satan again? Why?

Absolutely. In fact, I have had to listen to parts more closely a second time since I was driving while listening and needed to pay more attention.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the different lens that Ms. Hill looks through to see the Witch Trials. Instead of looking at the more salacious details or the religious aspect, Ms Hill looks at the Witch Trials through the political and sociological values and events at the time. Ms. Hill is an historian, and her attention to detail comes through. I was fascinated throughout.

Which scene was your favorite?

I particularly enjoyed the wry descriptions of the girl's behavior during the trials.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Don't blame the Devil, Blame the Putnams

Any additional comments?

The narrator was wonderful, articulating clearly and at a good pace.

Certainly not a scholarly review

Would you try another book from Frances Hill and/or Wanda McCaddon?

Ms McCaddon is wonderful at reading the material. I would very much enjoy listening to her again..

Would you be willing to try another book from Frances Hill? Why or why not?

I don't think I would be interested in reading something else by Francis Hill. Despite being described as a scholarly work, the material does not live up to that standard. The perhaps greatest weakness is the attempt to wrap everything up in a pop psychology framework. Hill relies upon outdated psychoanalytic concepts to explain various events. Other than to name a few sources, such as Freud, she fails to provide evidence in the narrative to support her claims. Her lack of familiarity with the psychological or psychoanalytic literature is most evident in her discussions of anorexia.Beyond the psychological aspect, Hill fails to remain objective and rely upon a base of evidence. Repeatedly, the reader is subjected to descriptions of motives, thoughts or attitudes that can in no way be supported. Furthermore, Hill frequently describes people or actions using emotional or biased terms rather than simply presenting the facts.Because of these issues, I quickly grew concerned about the accuracy of any of the material presented. If the author is not objective, does not or cannot provide evidence to support ideas, and fails to become familiar with current research in the area upon which she is offering comment, it is difficult to accept the overall work.

Did A Delusion of Satan inspire you to do anything?

Yes. It inspired me to search for a better book on the topic.

Interesting listen

Listened to this after watching The Witch. Recommended if you're interested in Salem witch trials.

Best book on Salem Witch Trials

This is by far the best book on this subject I have ever read. Written extremely well, details about the accused, accusers and judges are extensive, and new ideas and theories that hadn’t been presented before. Highly recommended.

Also the narration is awesome as well.

Good book

comprehensive telling of the event that changed a Massachusetts town into a spiritual mecca. exceptional

Exploration not only of events but reasons behind

While not as "exciting" or easy reading as The Crucible, the exploration of political, personal, and religious factors which led to this travesty of justice is suburb, and interesting. Rather than cast the hysterical girls as willful liars (although many may have been), the text here exposes the politics and personal grudges of the supporting adults around them.
At the end we also hear of the aftermath of the accusations on those involved in the trials.
While parts are quite heartbreaking to listen to, the message of how easily even well meaning persons can be led astray is sobering.
The excellant reading of the text makes a heavy subject much easier to continue with.
You may find the prologue stage boring- however it will give context which is indispensible later. Take a break, read something lighter, and return to it.

Engaging history

Aside from unwarranted speculations, such as the possible suicide of the Putnams, this seems to be a well researched history with a lot of detail I wish had been included in the discussions which were part of my youthful history classes.

Great book

Best book on the witch trials I’ve ever read. It’s horrible what people do to each other in the name of their beliefs.

An Excellent Deep Dive

An excellent deep dive into the cause, events, and aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials and, in doing so, a potent reminder of how such hysteria can start and be avoided from reoccurring.

Just awesome

Frances Hill is a great digger. Comprehensive, thorough introduction to the Salem Witch Trials…5 out of 5 and shoutout to Wanda McFadden for the spirited reading.

Riveting

The why combined with the how of Salem. I could not put it down - being immersed in the treachery of small town life, the squabbles and revenge.

Thorough and analytical

A brilliant and detailed analysis of the witch hunt and what led to it. Lots of lessons for today. Great narrator too.