Using what written records exist from the time and examining the background and character of the principal players, Hill turns the story of the Salem Witch.

It inspired me to search for a better book on the topic. With A Delusion Of Satan, Frances Hill has done an outstanding job of examining the bizarre events that began in Salem Village in the winter of 1692 in amazing and enlightening detail. 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.ĭid A Delusion of Satan inspire you to do anything? 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. With A Delusion Of Satan, Frances Hill has done an outstanding job of examining the bizarre events that began in Salem Village in the winter of 1692 in amazing. Repeatedly, the reader is subjected to descriptions of motives, thoughts or attitudes that can in no way be supported. 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. Other than to name a few sources, such as Freud, she fails to provide evidence in the narrative to support her claims. Hill relies upon outdated psychoanalytic concepts to explain various events. Frances Hill is an accomplished journalist and novelist whose previous book on the Salem witch trials, A Delusion of Satan, was called carefully researched. The perhaps greatest weakness is the attempt to wrap everything up in a pop psychology framework. Despite being described as a scholarly work, the material does not live up to that standard. I don't think I would be interested in reading something else by Francis Hill.

Would you be willing to try another book from Frances Hill? Why or why not? I would very much enjoy listening to her again. Ms McCaddon is wonderful at reading the material. Would you try another book from Frances Hill and/or Wanda McCaddon?

A Delusion of Satan by Frances Hill