The famous Salem Witch Trials of 1692 continue to captivate the imaginations of historians, scholars, and the general public alike. These trials, which occurred in the small Massachusetts village of Salem, resulted in the execution of 20 individuals accused of practicing witchcraft. One enduring image from this dark chapter in American history is the photograph of the accused witches that allegedly existed. However, **it is important to note that such a photograph does not actually exist**. While photography was not yet invented in the 17th century, many people are often surprised to learn that there is no surviving photographic evidence of the Salem Witch Trials. The belief in the existence of a photograph likely stems from the desire to have a concrete visual representation of the accused and the events that unfolded during this tumultuous time.
James Patterson is the world's bestselling author. The creator of Maximum Ride and Crazy House, he has donated more than one million books to students and soldiers, as well as millions of dollars to independent bookstores and school libraries. He lives in Florida with his family.
All the while, a daunting but charismatic new enemy with unsurmountable power is gathering legions of cult followers, enslaving thousands, and wrenching public opinion against its former heroes. When a dystopian government controls every aspect of society, siblings Wisty and Whit Allgood may be the world s only hope in this magical beginning of James Patterson s Witch Wizard series.
The belief in the existence of a photograph likely stems from the desire to have a concrete visual representation of the accused and the events that unfolded during this tumultuous time. In reality, the trials and subsequent executions were recorded only through written documentation, mostly in the form of court records and testimonies. Instead, what we have today are artistic interpretations of the events, such as paintings and illustrations that depict the accused witches, their accusers, and the overall chaos and hysteria that enveloped the village.
James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard Novels: STAY AWAY
[wikipedia] James Patterson is a well known author, particularly for his Alex Cross detective series. He has received the Guinness World Record for the first author to sell a million e-books (probably way more now). This is a man who has out sold Stephen King, John Grisham, and Dan Brown COMBINED. Patterson doesn’t need much more of a recommendation than that. Therefore, when I saw the Witch and Wizard series I felt like this was a good investment of my time and would at the very least be passable read.
The Witch and Wizard series falls under the young adult category, where my reading interest usually lies. Having heard about Patterson being such a prominent author, I decided to pick up these books in good faith. Horrible mistake. The plot centers around a brother, Whit, and a sister, Wisty, that have magic powers in a suddenly (with almost no explanation) dystopian universe.
The central theme is that children have all the imagination and that they are the future in a dystopian world. Literally almost all of the adults are useless and/or evil. I could almost hop on board with all of that. The explanation of why this was happening was shoddy at best until book two or three, but if that was my only issue I think I could get over it. Unfortunately, it was not my only issue with the series.
[pinterest] Patterson jumps back and forth in extremely small chapters between the two main characters, which led to discrepancies in the action occurring. Both of them can be a part of the same event and yet one person describe the actions so differently despite experiencing it together that you have to re-read it just to make sure it’s the same scene. Some novelists pull this off wonderfully, but here it seems like a rough draft error that never got resolved.
Then there is the actual descriptive writing of this series. Besides lacking consistency on more than one occasion, the description was much too sparse for my liking for a novel. This noticeable occurred for the first two novels. I don’know if it had anything to do with the sub-authors that helped write the book, but it was bad. After half of the first novel I wanted to put it down, but couldn’t because I have to finish every novel I start. After a while it just became this mildly amusing annoyance. I finally reached the end of book three, considered that a satisfactory ending and ended my self-induced torture.
While the story line had an interesting concept and could be used to raise the self-esteem of children, I think anyone used to reading novels with descriptive events or with a higher standard in mind for what they read will find this series disappointing.
Many reviewers here are dead on (particularly from Goodreads and Amazon). The story line held great potential, but was written poorly. It was reassuring to find other readers thought the same thing I did – that this was not a finished, edited novel. The dialogue between the characters was overly cliche and sometimes horribly predictable. There were even spelling and grammar issues! One review really nails it on the head: “In a trite and oversimplified manner, we learn that our political system crumbled overnight and was replaced by the New Order.”
[comicvine]
Manga Adaption The main characters were a bit confusing, and at one point I thought they were going to be lovers because of the creepy closeness of their relationship. Overall, this is just a bad, not worthwhile series. Maybe the manga adaption would be better, but I’m not sticking around to find out.
Have you read the Witch and Wizard series? Would you recommend it?
Witch & Wizard
The world is changing - the government has seized control of every aspect of society, and now kids are disappearing. For fifteen-year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside-down when they are hauled out of bed one night, separated from their parents, and thrown into a secret compound for no reason they can comprehend. The new government is clearly trying to suppress life, liberty . and the pursuit of being a normal teenager. Imprisoned together and condemned to death, Wisty and Whit begin exhibiting strange abilities and powers they never dreamed of. Maybe there is a reason they were singled out. Can this newly discovered witch and a wizard master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents - and maybe the world?
These visual representations, while not historically accurate, help to give us a visual glimpse into this dark period in American history. The idea of a "witch trial photograph" continues to persist in popular culture, perpetuating the myth that such evidence exists. This misconception serves as a reminder of the need to critically examine historical sources and not take everything at face value. While the photograph does not exist, it is the written records and accounts that provide the most valuable insights into the Salem Witch Trials. In conclusion, the notion of a photograph depicting the accused witches of the Salem Witch Trials is a misconception. The trials occurred before the invention of photography, and therefore no photographic evidence exists. Instead, we rely on written records and artistic interpretations to understand and remember this dark period in American history..
Reviews for "The Faces of Accusation: Portraits from the Salem Witch Trials"
1. John Smith - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Witch trial photograph salem". The exhibit lacked any true historical context and instead relied on sensationalism and shock value. The photos were grainy and poorly preserved, making it difficult to truly connect with the subject matter. Additionally, the exhibit failed to provide any substantial information about the individuals involved in the Salem witch trials, leaving me feeling uninformed and dissatisfied. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this exhibit.
2. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - As someone who is interested in history, I found "Witch trial photograph salem" to be a letdown. The photographs on display were poorly curated and lacked any real depth or insight into the events of the Salem witch trials. It felt more like a cheap attempt to capitalize on a tragic chapter in history rather than a sincere effort to educate and inform. The lack of accompanying information or historical context made it difficult to fully understand or appreciate the significance of the photographs. If you're looking for a meaningful exploration of the Salem witch trials, I suggest looking elsewhere.
3. Michael Thompson - 1 star - "Witch trial photograph salem" was nothing more than a cheap gimmick. The photographs displayed were clearly manipulated or staged, making it impossible to trust their authenticity. It felt like a blatant attempt to sensationalize the Salem witch trials rather than provide any real historical insight. The lack of accompanying information or background context further contributed to my disappointment. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this exhibit, as it offers nothing of value to those seeking a genuine understanding of history.
4. Emily Davis - 2 stars - I was expecting "Witch trial photograph salem" to provide a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the Salem witch trials, but sadly, it fell short. The photographs on display were underwhelming and lacked the depth and emotion I had hoped for. Additionally, the lack of accompanying information or historical context made it difficult to fully appreciate the significance of the images. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. I would suggest looking for alternative exhibits that offer a more comprehensive and informative experience.