Publisher's Synopsis
Wonders of the Invisible World is a historical non-fiction book written by Robert Calef. The book is a detailed account of the Salem Witch Trials that took place in Massachusetts in the late 17th century. Calef was a contemporary of the trials and was a vocal critic of the proceedings. He wrote the book as a response to Cotton Mather's defense of the trials, which was published in his book, Wonders of the Invisible World. Calef's book is divided into three parts. The first part provides a brief history of the trials and the events leading up to them. It also includes a list of the accused and the evidence against them. The second part is a collection of testimonies from people who were involved in the trials, including the accused, the accusers, and the judges. Calef uses these testimonies to argue against the validity of the trials and the evidence used against the accused. The third part of the book is Calef's own commentary on the trials. He argues that the trials were based on superstition and hysteria rather than evidence and reason. He also criticizes the judges and the accusers for their role in the trials. Calef's book is considered an important historical document because it provides a contemporary perspective on the trials and the events surrounding them. It also offers insight into the social and political climate of Massachusetts at the time.1828. The Wonders of the Invisible World are displayed in five parts. Part I: An account of the sufferings of Margaret Rule by Cotton Mather; Part II: several letters to the author and his reply relating to witchcraft; Part III: the differences between the inhabitants of Salem Village, and Mr. Parris, their Minister, in New England; Part IV: letters of a gentleman, uninterested, endeavoring to prove the received opinions about witchcraft to be orthodox, with short essays to their answers; Part V: a short historical account of matters of fact in that affair.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
