Marion Gibson’s Witchcraft: A History In 13 Trials is a fascinating account of some of the most notable witchcraft trials in history. The book brings these historical events to life, fleshing out characters found in court records, to offer an insight into the society that witchcraft hysteria emerged from and an indication of what living through those moments may have been like for all involved.
Gibson not only explores the trials, but also discusses the historical context the led up to them and allowed them to occur in the way that they did. One of the most impressive things about the book is that you, as a reader, are never in any doubt that, no matter how wild the accusations were, they were grounded in some form of reasoning (no matter how strange or selfish it may seem to us today). From demonology to royal ascensions, Gibson demonstrates how identity politics, power plays and cultural differences all crashed together to allow these historic injustices to occur. Gibson also looks at some of the complexities that are present for modern users of magic – this probably needed a book of its own, but it provides an interesting comparison, nonetheless.
A well-rounded insight into some of the strangest and cruellest moments in history. Whether you’re a history buff or a modern witch, this book will have something for you.
Witchcraft: A History In 13 Trials, Marion Gibson (Simon & Schuster)
Price: £20/£9.99 Ebook/£14.99 audiobook. Info: here
words HARI BERROW