About the author
K David Goss is the author of two reference works on the Salem witch trials: The Salem Witch Trials: A Reference Guide (Greenwood, 2007) and Documents of the Salem Witch Trials (ABC-CLIO, 2018). Both books gather primary source material, including court records, depositions, and contemporary accounts, and place them in the context of late seventeenth-century Salem, surveying the range of explanations that have been proposed for the events, from ergot poisoning to social and religious tension. Written for students and general readers researching the trials, the books are structured as reference guides rather than narrative histories, with an emphasis on primary documents and historical context over interpretation. They fall under the witchcraft-wicca category as historical rather than practice-based works.
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💬 What our editors say about K David Goss's books
“While this guide excels in its meticulous charting of events and unbiased presentation of theories, it is strictly a historical reference rather than a narrative adventure. It may not suit readers looking for dramatic retellings…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Salem Witch Trials: A Reference Guide
“Goss provides a meticulously curated collection that successfully bridges the gap between academic rigor and accessible history. By focusing on original documents rather than a traditional narrative, he allows the era's…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Documents of the Salem Witch Trials - Not Available from Ingram Goss, K David
