About the author
Cotton Mather was a towering Puritan divine and intellectual force in colonial New England, whose prolific writings delved deeply into the unseen forces shaping human existence. Educated at Harvard, he became a prominent minister in Boston, where his sermons and voluminous texts explored the intricate relationship between the divine, the natural world, and the spiritual realm. While widely recognized for his historical accounts, Mather's true fascination lay in the hidden currents of his era. He grappled with the spectral, the demonic, and the very fabric of the "invisible world," most famously in his controversial defense of the Salem witch trials, *Wonders of the Invisible World*. This work, though fraught with controversy, reveals Mather's intense engagement with the perceived incursions of dark spiritual powers. His monumental *Magnalia Christi Americana* also serves as a testament to his belief in a divinely orchestrated history, where supernatural interventions were a tangible reality. Mather’s persistent inquiries into the boundaries between the known and the occult continue to resonate with modern seekers exploring the enduring mysteries of the spirit.
📖 Where to start with Cotton Mather
💬 What our editors say about Cotton Mather's books
“This collection is a vital resource for historians and students of early American literature who wish to examine the primary sources of the Salem Witch Trials directly. However, it does not suit casual readers seeking a…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Salem Witchcraft: Comprising More Wonders of the Invisible World. Collected by Robert Calef; And Wonders of the Invisible World, By Cotton Mather; Tog
“This compilation serves as a vital historical artifact, meticulously detailing Puritan perspectives on the Salem witch trials through sermons and essays. However, it is not suited for readers seeking modern occult practices or…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on On Witchcraft: Being The Wonders Of The Invisible World 1692
“This work is essential for historians and scholars of religious extremism but may prove tedious or deeply unsettling for casual readers seeking entertainment. It does not suit those who expect a fictionalized narrative or modern…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on On Witchcraft Mather, Cotton
📋 Editions by Cotton Mather in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Witchcraft: Comprising More Wonders of the Invisible World | 2014 | Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. | 458 | 9781584774624 |
| On Witchcraft: Being The Wonders Of The Invisible World 1692 | 2014 | Literary Licensing, LLC | 174 | 9781494157234 |
| On Witchcraft Mather, Cotton | 2005 | Dover Publications | 192 | 9780486444130 |
| On Witchcraft: Being the Wonders of the Invisible World 1692 | 2014 | Literary Licensing, LLC | 174 | 9781497970403 |
