A review by rosemarieshort
Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials by Marion Gibson

dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Witchcraft is a fascinating and far-spanning look into the trials of witches throughout time. From 1400s Austria through the Scottish and Salem trials, moving into the way perceptions of witches and witchcraft shifted in the 1900s and 2000s, it’s clear that Marion Gibson chose her trials carefully. The underlying theme is othering - of women, people with disabilities, those of non-Christian cultures, gay people and more. Some trials take the term “witch” literally whilst others, particularly the later trials, are using witch-hunting as an excuse for another motive. In all cases Gibson’s point is clear - all witch trials are about power and oppression. I found this a well curated glimpse into not just trials over continents and time but also an opportunity to focus on victims.
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