Magic Eye Books are a popular type of optical illusion book that has gained popularity over the years. These books feature images that, at first glance, appear to be nothing more than a sea of random patterns and colors. However, when you look at the image in a specific way, a 3D image suddenly pops out, creating a captivating and mesmerizing effect. The concept behind Magic Eye Books is based on a technique known as autostereograms. Autostereograms use a pattern of random dots to create the illusion of depth perception when viewed correctly. The pattern is designed to trick the brain into perceiving a 3D image by focusing the eyes in a specific way.
In order to defend its actions, the Massachusetts government asked Boston minister Cotton Mather to write a book about the trials in which he justified the trials and the way they were conducted.
In 1704, Lawson wrote another account of the Salem Witch Trials, a sermon titled Christ s Fidelity the only Shield against Satan s Malignity, aka Witchcraft in Salem, which was published in London in 1704. Written in 1697 and published in 1700, this book by Boston cloth merchant Robert Calef denounces the Salem Witch Trials and Cotton Mather s role in it.
The pattern is designed to trick the brain into perceiving a 3D image by focusing the eyes in a specific way. By crossing or converging the eyes, the viewer can see hidden images emerge from the seemingly chaotic patterns. To see the hidden image, one must relax their eyes and focus their gaze as if looking through the image.
WITCH HUNTS
Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice. "History of the Salem Witch Trials." History of Massachusetts blog (August 18, 2011) .
General history with some snippets of primary sources among the entries on various participants.
Burns, M. "A Guide to the On-Line Primary Sources of the Salem Witch Trials" (n.d.) 17th Century Colonial New England with Special Emphasis on the Essex County Witch-Hunt of 1692. . Mostly links to U Virginia or Cornell, but also various rare books, the Library of Congress, Maryland State Archives, and New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Burr. George Lincoln, ed. Narratives of Witchcraft Cases 1648-1706. 19141 [Barnes & Noble 1946 reprint]: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.31175010811423> includes Increase Mather, "Remakable Providences;" Cotton Mather, Memorable Providences; Deodat Lawson, "A Brief and True Narrative;" Robert Calef, More Wonders of the Invisible World; John Hale, A Modest Inquiry.
Congregational Library and Archives. . Collection drawn from books of Boston clergy.
Flotte TJ1, Bell DA." Role of skin lesions in the Salem witchcraft trials." PubMed.gov.
"Hawthorne in Salem." (n.d.) /YoungGoodmanBrown/OriginalDocuments.html>.
As part of much larger site on Nathaniel Hawthorne, numerous short excerpts from Mather, Hale, Upham; illustrations of title pages and warrents; examinations and depositions (many from Virginia site).
Latner, Richard B. "The Salem Witchcraft Site." Tulane Unversity (n.d.) .
Some narrative but also databases constructed from the sources.
Levin, David. "Did the Mathers Disagree about the Salem Witch Trials?" American Antiquarian. .
Linder, Douglas. "Salem Witchcraft Trials." Famous Trials (2018) .
Chronology, map, examinations, letters, petitions, reports.
Mass. Bay Colony Government. "An Act against Conjuration, Witchcraft, and Dealing with Evil and Wicked Spirits [December 1692]." Evans Early American Imprint Collection. .
Mather, Cotton. Magnalia Christi Americana or, The ecclesiastical history of New-England, from its first planting in the year 1620. unto the year of Our Lord, 1698. In seven books. London: Printed for Thomas Parkhurst, at the Bible and three crowns in Cheapside, 1702 https://archive.org/stream/magnaliachristia00math?ref=ol#page/n673/mode/2up.
Perkins, William. A Discourse of the Damned Art of Witchcraft so Far Forth as it is Revealed in the Scriptures and Manifest by True Experience. Cambridge, UK, 1610, Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership.
Ray, Benjamin. "Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project." University of Virginia (2002) .
Court records, record books, letters, sermons, diaries, maps, primary source books (Hale, Mather, Burr collection), links to other archives.
Salem Witchcraft Trial Records. Philips Library Digital Collection, Peabody Essex Museum. See also "Diving into the world’s largest collection of Salem witch trial documents at PEM," http://sponsored.bostonglobe.com/peabody-essex-museum/worlds-largest-collection-of-salem-witch-trial-documents/ and Shea, Andrea. "Authentic Salem Witch Trials Artifacts Are On Display Amid Halloween Kitsch."WBUR (October 26 2020).
Schaffer, Bridgitte. "Primary Sources on Puritanism and the Salem Witch Trials." Napa Valley College (2014) HIST%20120%20Spring%202014/Sources%20Puritanism.pdf>.
Selection of witch readings (Winthrop, Dane, Good, and Bishop) for an American History course.
Upham, Charles W. Salem witchcraft: with an account of Salem Village, and a history of opinions on witchcraft and kindred subjects. hathitrust.
Witch Trial Online Sites Tour. . Pictures and descriptions of many places in the region associated with the hunts.
Woodward, Elliot W, ed. Records of Salem Witchcraft, Copied from the Original Documents, 44–50. Roxbury, MA: Private Printer for W.E. Woodward, 1864 . Various warrants, oaths, summonses, indictments, depositions, examinations, and other legal documents related to the hunt.
For some student annotations on books about Salem, go here:
| Ten Theories about the Causes of the Witch Hunts: ideas by historians about the origins of the Witch Hunts | Ten Common Errors and Myths about the Witch Hunts: corrections to mistaken ideas people frequently have about the Witch Hunts | Timeline of the Hunts to 1800: chronology of key events, sources and people involved in the witch hunts |
| The SALEM WITCH HUNT TedED video Timeline Pictures Annotated Books & Articles | ||
| Primary Source: Letters from the Witch Trial of Rebecca Lemp: a family deals with accusations. | Torture: a review of torture in the witch hunts and today. | Suffer your own persecution! Try a witch hunt simulation: make choices to survive or not. |
Published around November or December of 1692, but postdated to 1693 to comply with Phip’s ban, this book by Increase Mather criticizes the court’s use of spectral evidence and other evidence, such as the touch test.
It may take some practice to master this technique, as it can be challenging to train the eyes to see differently. However, once the viewer learns how to look at the image correctly, the hidden picture becomes clear and vivid. Magic Eye Books offer a wide range of images, from animals to landscapes and abstract designs. Some books even include hidden messages or words within the images, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the experience. These books have become popular among people of all ages, as they provide a unique and interactive form of entertainment. In addition to the traditional Magic Eye Books, digital versions of these optical illusions have become available. Some apps and websites offer virtual autostereograms that can be viewed on smartphones, tablets, or computers. This has made it even more accessible for people to engage with this captivating form of art. Overall, Magic Eye Books are a fascinating and exciting way to experience the wonder of optical illusions. They offer a form of entertainment that challenges the way we perceive images and engage with visual stimuli. Whether in book form or as a digital experience, Magic Eye Books continue to captivate and amaze audiences worldwide..
Reviews for "The Psychology of Magic Eyes Books: Why Our Brain Loves Optical Illusions"
1. Emily - 2 stars - The Magic Eyes book was a huge disappointment for me. I found the concept of the "Magic Eyes" to be confusing and difficult to grasp. I spent hours trying to see the hidden images, but I just couldn't. The book lacked clear instructions, and I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a lot of patience or a knack for visual puzzles.
2. John - 1 star - I really don't understand the hype around the Magic Eyes book. I found it to be nothing more than a bunch of random patterns with no clear meaning or purpose. I struggled to see any hidden images and just ended up with a headache. The lack of enjoyment I derived from this book was truly disappointing. Save your money and invest in something more worthwhile.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - The Magic Eyes book was a letdown for me. I expected to be amazed and entertained, but instead, I was left feeling confused and uninterested. The images were so abstract and hard to decipher that I couldn't fully appreciate the supposed "magic" of the book. It definitely didn't live up to the hype, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating visual experience.
4. Alex - 3 stars - I have to admit, the Magic Eyes book didn't really impress me. While I did manage to see a few hidden images after straining my eyes and adjusting my focus, I found the overall experience to be underwhelming. The concept is interesting, but the execution fell short. It lacked the wow factor I was hoping for and left me feeling like I wasted my time. I wouldn't outright discourage others from trying it, but I certainly wouldn't rave about it either.
5. Lily - 2 stars - The Magic Eyes book was not my cup of tea. I struggled to perceive the hidden images and, even when I did manage to see something, it didn't feel worth the effort. The repetitive patterns and lack of variety made the experience monotonous. I quickly grew bored and ended up feeling like I just wasted my money. Perhaps this type of book just isn't for me, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants a more engaging and enjoyable visual experience.